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TROY 



CONFEREIE MISCELLMY, 

COXTAIXING A 

HISTORICAL SKETCH OF METHODISM 

WITDIN THE BOUNDS OF THE TROY CONFERENCE OF THE 
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 

WITH 

REMINISCENCES OF ITS DECEASED, 

CONTRIBUTIONS BY ITS LIVING MINISTERS. 
WITH AN APPENDIX 

BY REV. STEPHEN PARKS. ^ 



ALBANY: 
J. LORD, PHILIP STREET 

TROY: W. H. YOUNG. 

BURLINGTON: S. HUNTINGTON. 

1854. 



r 




^^^^ 



\ 



Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 18.'^4, 

BY STEPHEN PARKS, / 

In the District Court of the United States for the Northern District 

of New York, 



ALBANY : 
J. MUIfSELL, PRINTER. 



4 

I* 



TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 



RECOMMENDATIONS. 

F^om Rev. Abel Stevens, Editor of the National 3faffazine. 

•'It can not be other than an interestinp: collection to the Troy Conference, and (o 
many others in whose hearts the names of Levings, Carpenter, Scholefield, Shermnn, 
CoTel, Saxe, Lindsey, Eames, and others, haye been embalmed." 



From Jtev. D. Wise, Editor qf Zion's Herald, Antltor of the Path qf Life, Tovnff Man's 

Chunsdlor, dc, dc. 

" It is an excellent, jndicioua and interesting compilation ; it deserves the hearty 
and liberal patronage of the people of the Troy Conference, and of all who take any 
interest in the career of Methodist preachers." 



jFVotw Bev. Jasper Hazen, Editor qf the Family JnteTligmcer. 

" This book gives, what is much needed in a suitable form for reference, a biograrbi- 
cal sketch of the deceased ministers of the Conference, together with short essays from 
living ministers. The preparing and arranging this matter for the press is done in a 
manner that entitles the compiler to great credit." 

From Rev. Dr. Bond, Editor qf tfie Christian Advocate and Journal. 

" The biographical sketches are valuable as matters of record as well as instruction 
in respect to that providential agency in the salvation of men, which is known as 
Methodism. Tlie essays are by some of the ablest preachers and best writers of the- 
Conference. We hope all our Conferences-will adopt a similar method of preserving 
the incidents of our itinerancy." 



JFVom Rev. Tobias Spicer, A. M. 
" I regard this Miscellany as a very interesting compendium of information relative 
to Methodism within the bounds of Troy Conference. It brings to viow, to a consid- 
erable extent, the character and labors of many of those honored men whom God em- 
ployed as instruments in spreading scriptural holiness, and in some measure accounts 
for what has been a matter of astonishment to many— the success of Methodism 
throughout this region. As a book of historical reference, its value will increase with 
the lapse of time. The beautiful and expressive likenesses of the venerable Bishop 
HfiDDUfG, and of the active and eloquent Levings, are worth all the book will cost." 



From Rev. S. D. Brown, Pastor of the North Second Street M. E. Chttrch in Trov. 
"I cordially concur in the above." 



From Rev. B. M. HaU, Presiding Elder of Troy District. 

" The ' Troy Conference Miscellany ' is a book which I can cordially recommend t» 
the public as both interesting and instructive. It is hoped that it will have a gencrdt 
circulation within the bounds of the Troy Conference ; and there is much in the work 
to commend it to readers in other sections of our work. Our preachers will confer t 
IkTor upon the momber^p by bringing this book to their notice." 



TO THE 

MINISTRY AND MEMBERSHIP 

CONNECTED WITH THE 

TROY ANNUAL CONFERENCE, 

THIS HUMBLE VOLUME 

IS RESPECTFULLY 



INSCRIBED 



\ 



5 ' 



PREFACE. 



The First Part of this work does not assume to be any thing' 
like a full, connected history of Methodism within the region of 
which it treats; this would have required a separate volume. 
A mere outline, and that relating chiefly to our early history, is 
all that has been attempted. 

The Second Part is intended as a ftne/*, accessible, and per- 
manent memorial of those men of God, who have been instru- 
mental in the establishment of that form of Christianity in our 
midst, which is known by the name of Methodism. With but 
one or two exceptions, no record of their lives or labors remains, 
save what is found in the Minutes, and the notices that appeared 
in the papers, at the time of their death; and these are preserved 
by but few. Gratitude demands that their memories should be 
cherished, and such recollections must be promotive of piety. 

A very common fault of biographical .works, is, that they are 
overivrought ; every defect is concealed, every real virtue is ex- 
aggerated, while many excellencies are attributed to the subjects 
which they never possessed. However gratifying such me- 
moirs may be to personal friends, they are not calculated to 
answer the ends contemplated by this class of writings. With 
the example of the inspired biographers before him, the writei 
of the following sketches determined that, whatever defects 
they might possess, they should be truthful, as far as he is ca- 
pable of making them so. Meagre and defective, some of them, 
especially, are; and possibly some of the friends of these ex- 
Bcellent men may think that justice has not been done them. To 



Tl PREFACR. 

•uch, I cnn only sny that I linvo done the best I could under the 
circumstances, within my prescribed limits, and with the ma- 
tcrinlH nt my command. It will be seen that a few of these 
akotrhos wore wriltftj l»y otlior, and more able pens. 

Of the Third Part I might speak more freely. Those con- 
tributions, which, with one or two exceptions were written 
expressly for this work, will be appreciated by the public for 
their intrinsic worth, and specially valued by the numerous 
personal friends of the authors as the productions of those whose 
ministrations have been made a blessing to them in by-gone 
days. 

No pains have been spared to make the tahlts of the Appendix 
an correct as possible. The kindness of those who have aided 
in collecting materials is gratefully acknowle<lged. The writer 
has drawn upon any, and all sources of information within his 
reach, giving credit, very generally, in the body of the work. 

These pages have been prepared with a special reference to 
their circulation and use as a book of reference, within the 
range of the Troy Conference. 

One fact the writer sincerely deplores; the work has been 
prepared in haste, and amid the incessant cares and duties of a 
heavy pastoral charge. Other engagements must have his at- 
tention for some time to come; and imder the necessity of 
committing it to the press thus hastily, or delaying it indefinitely, 
he has chosen the former. 

Courteous reader, such as it is, this unpretending yolume is 
committed to your hands, in the humble hope that it will do 
pood. 

Albany, February 15, IBM. S. Parks. 



CONTENTS. 



« * #» ► 



PART FIRST. 

nislorical Sketch of Methodism within the Bonnds 
of the Troy Conference. 

CHAPTER I. 

FROM 1766 TO 1800. 

Boundaries of the Conference — General description — Capt. Webb in 
Albany — "Who preached the first Methodist sermon in America? — 
Freeborn Garrettson and his coadjutors — Strange notions of their 
character — Their success — First Society at Ashgrove — Philip 
Embury — First circuit — First house of worship — David Noble 

— David Brown — Mr. Ashton — " Preachers' room" — Old chair 

— Garrettson preaching in the Assembly Chamber — First society 
in Albany — Schenectady — Calvinistic opposition — Canaan — 
Anecdote of Garrettson — His character — Liberating his slaves 

— Hfs sufferings — History of Methodism in Pittsfield — Saratoga 
circuit — First church built in Albany, ^c. — Church in Johns- 
town — B. Hibbard's first sermon, and early labors — Warren coun- 
ty — Richard Jacobs — First society and circuit in Western Ver- 
mont — Joseph Mitchell — Lorenzo Dow — Bishop Hedding's con 
version — Joseph Sawyer at Petersburgh — Ebenezer Washburn's 
conversion — Anecdote of Washburn — Peter Vannest at Dalton — 
Persecution — Williamstown — Cambridge Circuit — Cruel perse- 
cution — Spread of the work — Early preachers — Their toils, suf- 
ferings and character — Early societies. Page 19 

CHAPTER n. 

FROM 1800, TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE TROT CONFERENCE IN 1832. 

Hedding's early labors — His first sermon — Jesse Lee at St. Albans, 
^c. — Peter Vannest on Essex Circuit — Brandon Circuit — Con- 
version of Abner Chase — Saratoga Circuit — Quarterly Meetings 
at Kingsborough — Fish House — Ludicrous Scene — Presiding 
Elder's District — Annual Conferences — Hedding on Plattsburgh 



Vlll CONTENTS. 

Circuit — FMchrr Circuit — Districts — Methodiim in Troy, from 
1801 to 1852 — K. Waahburnon Brandon and Vergcnnes circuits — 
Calvinism — Persecutions — Middlebury — Charlotte — Starks- 
borough — Hinesburgh — Dutchman's child*s funeral — Infant 
Dacnation — Laban Clark — St. Albans Point — Sudbury — 
Wi.iiing — Shoreham — Orwell — Benson — William Anson on 
Grand Isle — Asel Landon — Seymour Landon — John Frazer'i 
adventures on Lake Chaniplain — Henry B. Taylor "a night and 
a day in the deep" — Conference at Ashgrove — Methodism in 
Lansingburgh — Whiting — Anecdote — Methodism in Schenec- 
tady — T. Spicer — Asbiiry — Schenectady Circuit — Methodism 
in Albany — Revivals in l&24and 1828 — Samuel Merwin — La- 
ban Clark — Samuel Draper — Seth Crowel — Samuel Cochran — 
Lewis Peasij. Page 43 

CHAPTER III. 

PROQKrSS A!CD PRRSE?«T t.T\TE OF METHODISM I!f THE COXrEUE>CCB. 

Plan of this Sketch — Progress since 1832 — Middlebury District — 
Warren Circuit — Albany District — Original members of the Troy 
Conference — Statistics — Influence of Millerism — Distinguished 
men, Lcvinjrs, Olin, Hedding — Church building — Church debu 
— Free and rented seat's — Steeples and bells — Church music — 
Cutting up circuits — Missions — Tracts — Spiiituality — Pre- 
mature failure of our preachers — Causes — Aged members of the 
conference — Elijah Chichester — Andrew McKean — %Samuel 
Howe — Henry Stead — Jacob Beeman — Cyprian H. GriJley — 
Tobias Spicer — Josiah F. Chamberlain — Sherman Minor — 
Timothy Benedict — James Quinlan. Page 64 



PART SECOND. 

Rfmlnisffnfcs of Pcrensfd )Icnil)frs of Ihc Troy Confrrfnfe. 

BEV. NOAH LKVIN08, D. P. — DY RKV. D. \T. CLABK, D. D. 

Nativity — Parentage — Early disadvantages — An apprentice in 
Xroy — Determining where to attend church — Hears P. P. 
Sandford and L. Clark — Conversion — Public religious exer- 
ciaes — " Let that boy alone" — Formation of religious cha- 
racter — Call to the rr inistry — Conflicts — First circuit — Large 
and small circuits — Intellectual and religious improvement — 
Error of yoting preacheri — Conferenre — Pownal Circuit — Mont- 
fomery Circuit — Marriage — Going north — Middlebury — Bur- 



CONTENTS. IX 

lington — Success — Devotion to study, ifC — Missionary excur- 
sions— Charlotte Circuit —New York City — Popularity — Ex- 
tracts from his journal — Death of Garrettson — Brooklyn — New 
Haven — Church difficulties — General Conference — Garrettson 
Station, Albany — His studies — Dedicates churches — Revival — 
In Troy — General Conference — Schenectady — Revival — Ded- 
icates seven churches — Dr. Nott — Preaches in the college chapel 

— Degree of D. D. — His successor in Schenectady — Appointed 
P. E. — North Second street, Troy — Revival — Division street, 
Albany — Bereavement — State street, Troy, again — Vestry street, 
New York — Fin. Sec. Am. Bible Society —Western tour — Sick- 
ness — Death — Character, ^c. Page 73 

BEV. COLES CARPENTEB. 

Greatly beloved — Left no records of his life — Godly ancestry — 
Birth — Conversion — Christian decision — Anecdote — Com- 
mences to preach — Ordination — Troy Conference — Appointed 
presiding elder — Sickness — Sudden and happy death — Fune- 
ral — Dr. Luckey — Character as a parent — Letters to his son, on 
leaving home — Bereavements — Letter to his son — More afflic- 
tions — Extract of a letter — Death of a daughter — Letter — 
Another daughter dies — Piety of his children — Character as a 
preacher — Eloquence — Dr. Luckey — T. Benedict — E. Osborn 

— Appointments. P^ge 113 

REV. ANDREW C. MILLS. 

Birth and death — Pious parents — Passion for music — Never wept 
until converted — His modesty — Instrumental in a revival — An 
Era in his history — Preaches — Travels under P. Elder — Joins 
Troy Conference — Sudden death — Piety — Zeal — Music — Sung 
himself to death — Divine Providence — Last dreadful conflict 
with Satan — Peaceful end. Page 122 

BET. ARNOLD SCHOLEFIELD, — BY BEV. E. OSBORN. 

Nativity — Conversion — Early preaching — Anecdote — Fields of 
labor — Dutchess Circuit — E. Osborn, his colleague — Parting 
scene — Appointed P. Elder — Scene at camp meeting — An- 
other — Delegate to Gen. Conference — Sickness — T. Spicer — 
Supernumerary — Settles in Columbia county, N. Y. — Resumes 
Pastoral relation — Daughter's conversion — Controversial ser- 
mon — P. Elder again — Paralytic stroke — Affecting scene — 
Dies at a tavern — Mr. Osborn's remarks on his character — Ad- 
ditional remarks on his character and preaching — A camp meet- 
ing sermon. Page 126 



X C0>'rENT8. 

KIT. WRIGHT UAZEN. — BT REV. SOAU LEVIXG8, D. D. 

Dirth and death — Amiability — Apprentice — Becomei pioua — Re- 
moves to Troy — Marriage — Preaches — Enters upon the itiner- 
ant work — Terrporal embarrassments — Retires to extricate him- 
•clf — Noble example — Returns to the itinerancy — Revival at 
Hoosic — Transferred to Troy Conference — Wife dies — Water- 
ford — West Troy — Second Marriage — Bronchial disease — Con- 
sumption — Tries sea air — Kindness of Christian friends — "Rock- 
ing in the cradle of death" — End — Character. * Page 133 

REV. PUILETL'S GREKN. 

Birth and 'death — Pious mother — Skeptical — Coach painter — 
Awakened and converted — Great change — Rules of life — Wil- 
braham Academy — Joins N. E. Conference — Transferred to 
Troy Conference — Marriage — Usefulness — Indications of con- 
sumption — Bleeding at the lungs — Death — Piety — Extracts 
from his journal — Letter to a skeptic — Speaking *' too loud" — 
Happy end. Page 140 

REV. AMOS R. RIPLET. 

Want of knowledge of him — Conflicts relative to the ministerial 
calling — Joins Troy Couference — Appointments — Early death 

— Character, ^c. Page 146 

REV. GILBERT T. PALMER. 

Mysteries of Providence — Faith — Heaven — Birth and death — 
Parentage — Opposition to his becoming a Methodist — Call to 
preach — Poultney Academy — Enters the iniaistry — Fort Ana 
— Orwell — Hiram Blamhard — Ticonderoga — Ordained elder — 
HiB character — S. D. Brown*s account of his last days. 

Page 148 

RLT. WM. D. STEAD. — BT REV. C. R. MORRIS. 

Parentage — Birth — Conversion — Enters the ministry — Appoint- 
ments — Sickness and success on Chester Circuit — Death — Suf- 
ferings and patience — Character. Pago 152 

REV. DANIEL UOLMES. 

Nativity — Early conversion — First marriage — Begins to preach 

— Appointments — Second marriage — Transferred to Troy Con- 
ference — Appointments — Health fails — Supernumerary — His 
character — Deep atlliclions — Death. Pa^e 154 



CONTENTS. 



XI 



EEV. CHARLES SHXBMAN. 

Parentage — Father's character — Mother's piety — Her prayer for 
her son — Prayer meetings at his father's house — Influence of 
early associations — Experiences religion — Preaches — Early 
Character and preaching — L. A. Sandford — Dr. S. Luckey — S. 
Merwin's prediction — Joins N, Y. Conference — "A prophet in 
in his own country" — Transferred to Troy Conference — Division 
•treat, Albany — "Who is Charles Sherman?" — North Second 
street, Troy — Appointed P. Elder — Revivals on the district — 
Letter to Mr. Ward — Letter to his brother Samuel — Last visit 
to his father — Interesting incident — Delegate to General Con- 
ference — Affection of the heart — Letter to the writer — Jones- 
ville — North Second street, Troy — Troubles — Sickness and 
death — Personal appearance — Distinguishing trait of character 

— Symmetry of character — Liberality — Letter — Cheerfulness 

— Preaching — Pastoral habits — A man of prayer — Public 
prayers — Gratitude — Character as P. Elder — Letter to the 
Writer — Another — Skill as a manager — Settling difficulties — 
Dispersing a mob — Meeting an emergency at a camp-meeting 

— Social qualities — In conference — Attachment to the church 

— His end. Page 157 

REV. JAMES COVEL, A. M. 

Ancestry — Nativity — Father's prayer — Dull scholar — "I'll try." 

— Removed to Poughkeepsie — Conversion — Licensed to preach 

— Enters traveling connection — The " boy team " — Studious — 
Anecdote — Early Preaching — Marriage — Appointments — 
Death — Character as a scholar — Literary labors — Absent- 
minded — Modesty — Preaching — Personal appearance — Integ- 
rity — Sickness — Dr. Skilton's remarks — Dying scenes. 

Page 185. 

REV. THOMAS KIRBY. BY RET, B. M. HALL. 

Birth — Influence of parental piety — Camp-meeting — Prayer 
Answered.* — His conversion — Early religious activity and useful- 
ness — Appointed class-leader — Wilbraham Academy — Preaches 
under the presiding elder at Dalton — Anecdote — " Preach will 
you?" — New Lebanon — Stowe — Berkshire — Success — Hines- 
burgh — Anecdote — Reception of Preachers by the people — 
Whitehall — Greatly esteemed — Brandon — Granville Corners — 
Last sermons — Sickness and death — B. O. Meeker's account of 
st days — Funeral sermons — Personal appearance — Cheer- 
fulness — His preaching — Preaching to one hearer. Page ] 94 



XU CONTENTS. 

BKV. ALFRED SAXI. 

Introduction — Memory of the dead — Birth — Incident — Desire for 
knowleilge — Love of h'story — Conversion — Call to the minis- 
try — Desire for an education — Plattsburgh — Burlineton — 
KcosvilU? — Receives license to exhort — To preach — Early eflbrls 
— Enters the Wesleyan University — Scholarship — J.G. Saxe — 
Rev. L. L. Knox — Over-oxertion — Letter — Marriage — Subae- 
quent life at Middletown — Joins the Troy Conference — Ferry 
Street — Success — Illness — Conference of 18^ — Secretary — 
Return to Ferry street — Testimonials — North While Creek — 
Superannuates — Returns to Sheldon — Last Letter — Death — 
Character — Intellectual power — Cultivation — Amiable spirit — 
Frien<ls — Love to his parents — Poetical epistles to his mother — 
Sister's album — Cheerfulness — Knox — Letter — Character as a 
Christian — View of the Ministry — Letter — Preaching — Affa- 
bility — Pastoral habits — Conclusion, Page 202. 

BEV. SAMUEL RIGHMY. 

Early Conversion — Begins to preach — Appointments — Retires — 
Import of ''Supernumerary" and '* Superannuated " — Toils — 
Economy — Integrity — Anecdote — " Breaking the preacher 
down" — Preaching at a camp meeting — His death. 

Page 225. 

BEV. WILLIAM ANSOX. 

Belonged to a former generation — Anecdote of his father — Learned 
the carpenter's trade — Yellow fever in New York — Conversion — 
Joined the New York Conference — Grand Isle Circuit — "A 
savage race" — Crossing the Bar — *' No rum" — His success — 
Other appointments — Ashgrove District — Rhinebcck District — 
Appointments — Supernumerary — Death — Hardships — Useful- 
ness — Old-fashioned — Cured the "holy grunt" — Character — 
Family. Page 229. 

BBV. KLIAS VANDrBLIP. 

•An old dinciple" — Venerable appearance — Division-street Church — 
Nativity — Pious nwther — Early disadvantages — Conversion — 
Jfthn street church — Exborter — Snecess — Removes to Albany 
Store burnt — Ni^kayuna — Revival — Joins New York Con- 
ference — Motives of early prcT-hers — Appointments — Inadequate 
support — Location — Settles in Albany — Joins Troy Conferencs 
Sufferings and death — Character. Pa^e 235. 



CONTENTS. 



XIU 



RKV. JOHN D. MORIARTY. — BY EEV. J. E. BOWEN. 

Birth — His father a Roman Catholic — Becomes a Methodist preach- 
er — Son's Conversion — "A Nothing^arian " — Corn stalks with- 
out corn — Removes to Albany — Licensed to preach — Enters on 
the itinerant work — Johnstown circuit — Sickness — Narrow es- 
cape — M. Bates — Removes to Saratoga Springs — Congress 
Spring House — Usefulness — Sudden Death — Character. 

Page 240. 

KEV. WILLIAM RYDER. 

Religion adapted to the afflicted — A son of affliction — Appalling 
suffering's — Birth — Childhood — " Do it again, Papa" — Ap- 
prentice — Conversion — Studies — Embarrassments — Of age — 
Chester Academy — Growth in grace — Marriage — Conflicts re- 
specting preaching — Itinerancy — Troubles — Father Howe — 
Anecdote of A. A. Farr — J. Poor — Birth day of his sufl^erings 

— Leicester circuit — Poultney — Extraordinary sufferings — 
Mental conflicts — Saratoga Springs — Deprived of all power of 
locomotion — Helpless sufferer — Reads three hundred volumes 

— His end. Page 246. 

REV. DANIEL F. PAGE. 

Nativity — Early traits of character — Religious experience — Con- 
nection with the Troy Conference — Ordination Credentials — Ap- 
pointments — J. E. Bowen's account of his death — His wife — 
His Character. Page 258. 

REV. JOHN p. FOSTER. 

Birth — Early character — Awakenings and conversion — Enters 
the ministry — Appointments in New York Conference — Troy 
Conference — Consuiuption — Last days — Death — Piety — Gai- 
ety of spirit — Benevolence — Domicstic character — Ministerial 
character — Visit to Petersburgh — Anecdote — Personal Ap- 
pearance — Style, ^c. — C. Pomeroy — Habits of study — RevivAl 
on Chester circuit — Prayer-m.eeting in a bar room — H. W. Ran- 
som. Page 262, 

REV. JOnX LINDSEY. BY REV. JOHN FRAZER, D. D. 

Birth and conversion — Joins New England Conference — Appoint- 
ments — Agency of Wesleyan University — Transferred to New 
York Conference — Fields of labor — Troy Conference — Labors 

— Death — Want of lecords of him — Character — Bishop Hed- 
ding's account of him — His last sermon — Last hours. Page 268. 

2 



x!y 



CONTKNTS. 



nXV. CHESTKIl LTON. 

Blnh-place — Early re'igious character — Enters the tnim-try — 
Fiel.lsof laI>or — AdironJark Mission — Magnanimity — Sickness 

— Preparation for death — Lonely, yel happy end — Character. 

Page 270. 

REV. IIENRT EAME8. 

His father and Wesley —Wesley's letters to hinn — Birth, and early 
piety — A local pre:\cher — A traveling preacher — Marriage — 
Four hundred conversions — Death of his wife — Appointments — 
Supernumerary — Death — Unrecorded toils — Old-fashioned 
preacher— ^ Dutchman and Methodist preacher — Falling in meet- 
ing — His preaching — His son. Page 279. 

BEV. JAME8 F. DURItOWS. 

" The memory of the just " — liirth — Providence — Becomes pious 

— Early reli'!:ious activity — Perfect love — Preparation for the 
Ministry — Biblical Institute — Marriage — Joins Troy Confer- 
ence — Fields of labor — Bronchial disease — Consumption — Joy- 
ful death — His preaching. Page 284. 

REV. ELIJAH B. nUDBAED 

Einh — Pious parents — Converted very youn;; — Marriage — Pro- 
fession of reliijion — Zeal — Class-leader — Enters the itinerant 
work — Success on Fort Ann circuit — Death of his wife — Afflic- 
tions — Mental aberration — Recovery — Second marriage — 
Cause of his death — A murderous custo.n — Personal appearance 
and habits — Inward conflicts — Deep depression — Extracts from 
bis diary — Character — End. Page 2S8. 

ItKV. CYBrS nOL.<?TER. 

Revival at Rensselacrville — Females without souls — " Cyrus, do 
your duty " — Conversion — At Wcsleyan University — Tutor in 
Hon. F. Garretlsnn*s family — Joins New York Conference — 
Health fails — Lansinglurph and Jonesvillc Academies — Troy 
Conference— Goes South — Death— Rev Z. Phillips' sketch of 
his character — Asa Scholar — AnuFiiend — A« a CLiisiian — 
Asa Minister, Page 295. 

BKV. OLIVRB EMKRSOM. 

Nativity — Parentage — Hears T. Spicer preach — Brought to Christ 
by his sister — A worthy e.xarTiple — I'ontoosuc — Mental conflicts 

— Wilbraham Academy — His feelings on leaving Wilbraham — 



CONTENTS. 



XV 



TTicological Seminaries — First circuit — Tvcvival at Palatine 
Bridge — Reception at Waterford — Afllictions — Narrow escapes — 
Kevival in Lansingburgh — Afiliclions — Superannuated — SufTer- 
ings — Deaih. Page 50 1. 

EEV. EICnATlD CniFFlN. 

A comparative stranger — Native of Ireland — Early usefulness — 
Emigration — Appointments — Sickness and Death — Opinions of 
his colleagues — Happy end — Refleclions. Page 3il 

REV. DATUS ENSIGN — DY HEV, C. R. MORRIS. 

Nativity — Death — Early Conversion — Licensed to preach — En- 
ters the itinerant field — Fields of labor — Marriage — Subsequent 
Appointments — Perfect love — Superannuated — Resumes iho 
work — Supernumerary — His preaching — Anecdote — Appear- 
ance, fyc. — Family prayer meetings — Declining health — Happy 
end — Funeral. Page 313. 




PART THIRD. 



Contribntions by Living Members of Troy Conference. 

The First Commandment -wiTn Promise. Rc7j. B. M. Hall. 319 

Christianity an element of Civilization. Rev. H. Dunn. 320 

Importance of an elevated aim. Rev. H. L. Starks, A. M. 330 

The Transfiguration. Rev. B. Isbcll, 332 

The Agony in the Garden. 7?^^;. D. Stai-ks, 330 

Was toe Resurrection body of Christ a spiritual and glorified 

body. Rev. A. C. Rose, 340 

TuE Young Slterannuate. Rev. W, Ford, 346 

TnE Christian Profession. Rev. W. A. Miller, 350 

Influence of familiar associates 351 

Onward ! Upward ! Rev. A. Johnson, 354 

Importance of parental piety to successful family govern- 
ment. Rev. M. Wilhcril , 355 

Death wttiiout the ligut of revelation. Rev. J. M. Edcjerton, 359 

God in intercourse with man. Rev. B. Ilaiclcy, A. If., 306 

llow can God be just and merciful and create men whom he 
knew would sin and consequently be miserable forever? 

Rev. C. Dcvol, Af. D., 372 



XVI cowTEprrs. 

Ttai TBuiu or CnwsTiAxrrr ESTADLisnED bt toe CiruBnA^'A ex- 
rniKxrp. Jtcv. T. Spicer, A. M. 377 

TllK IMKLUtXCE OF CllUlSTIAXa AND CUUISTIAXITV. Rcv. U. W. 

JianMoni, 381 

TuK BAm^M or the Holy Guost. liev. K. We$coU, A. J/.,... 382 

Raslt death ok Mimstij:^. lUv. M. Bat eg, 2S0 

CnKisTiAN love. /iVf. K Gou, A. Af., 393 

An ALT8IS or THE NEW EULE ON 8LAVEKY PBOrOSlOi BY TUE TkOT 

Conkkeeme in May, 1853. Jiev. A. Withertpoon, 394 

A Pbovidextial i.\ar>ENT. Jiev. J. Prgy, Sen., 400 

TlIK IDENTITY OF THE HUMAN BODY IN THE BESiURRf CTION. licv. J. 

M. Wever, 405 

» » • • » 



APPENDIX. 

Lttehart Institutions, Puge 411 

Tadlk showing the time and place of the several sessions of the 
Troy Confereucc, with the names of the piesiJing bisho])s and sec- 
retaries. Page 412 

Tadlr showing who have been presiding elders of the several dis- 
tricts from lfe3'i to 1854. Page 413 

Statistics of membership, Sunday School scholars, collections, i[C. 

Page 414 

Tablb containing an alphabetical list of all the preachers who have 
been connected with the conference from its organization to 1654; 
■howinglhe lime of their reception, and who have withdrawn, lo- 
cated, been transferred, expelled, or died, and the date of such 
events. Page 415 

Tbact and book depositories. Page 424 



PART FIRST. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF METHODISM WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF 

THE TROY CONFERENCE OF THE METHODIST 

EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 



" And thou shalt remember all the way v/hich the Lord thy God led 
thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove 
thee, to know what was in thy heart, whether thou wouldest keep 
his commandments, or no." — Deut. viii, 2. 



V 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 



CHAPTER I. 



FROM 17C0 TO ISOO. 

The Troy Annual Conference of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, which had previously constituted a part 
of the New York Conference, was organized in 1832. 
It is bounded on the north by Canada East, on the east 
by the Green Mountains, on the south by a line running 
east and west from Pittsfield, Mass., to Schoharie coun- 
ty, N. Y., and on the west by a somewhat irregular line 
running from Schoharie in a northerly direction to 
Canajoharie, Lake Pleasant, and thence to Canada East, 
leaving Franklin county on the west, and Clinton county 
on the east of this line. It therefore includes Rens- 
selaer, Albany, Schenectady, Montgomery, Fulton, Sara- 
toga, Washington, "Warren, Essex, and Clinton counties; 
with a part of Columbia, Schoharie, and Hamilton coun- 
ties in New York ; so much of Vermont as lies west of the 
Green Mountains; and about ten towns in Berkshire 
county, Mass. 

Within its bounds are the cities of Albany, Troy, 
Schenectady, and Vergennes, together with a large num- 
ber of flourishing villages, extensive fertile regions, 
and much picturesque and beautiful scenery. Howes* 
Cave, Saratoga and Lebanon Springs, and Cohocs, and 
Glenn's Falls, are among the natural curiosities within 
its limits. The Hudson river, Lake Champlain, the 
northern and western canals, and numerous rail roads 
constitute its thoroughfares, and render traveling within 
its bounds cheap, pleasant, and expeditious. 



20 TROY CONFEKENCE MISCELLANY. 

The first Methodist tliat is known to have entered 
this region was Captain Webb, of the British army. 
Having received a wound in the arm, and lost his right 
eye at the battle of QtubLC, under General Wolfe, he re- 
turned to Kngland, and in 1764, or 17(55, was converted 
to God. lie joined the Methodist society, and in 1765, 
or 1766, returned to this country, having been appointed 
barrack-master at Albany. Before leaving England, he 
began to speak in public, and *' when he arrived in Al- 
bany, he regularly performed family prayer; some of 
his neighbors frequently attended, lie often gave them 
a word of exhortation, and the encouragement he met with 
emboldened him to extend his labors." (Young's IJist. 
Meth., p. 235.) Thus began that work which has since 
80 wonderfully spread throughout this and other regions 
of our country. It will be remembered that it was in 
1766, that Mr. Philip Embury preached his first ser- 
mon in the city of New York, and organized the first 
Methodist society in America. Whether the honor of 
preaching the first Methodist sermon in America belongs 
to Captain Webb, or to Philip Embury, and whether 
Albany or New York was the place where it was 
preached, it maybe impossible positively to decide; but 
that Mr. Embury organized the first society, may be 
considered a settled historical fact. Dr. Bangs says of 
Mr. Embury's first sermon, which was preached to five 
hearers in his own house in New York: " This, it is 
believed, was the first Methodist sermon ever preached 
in America." (Hist. Meth., vol. i, p. AH.) Tliis is the 
general impression, and yet as this is a question of some 
historic interest, it may be well to investigate it. 

•• In the year 1765 or 1766.'- Dr. Hangs says, '* Capt. 
Webb was appointed barrack-master at Albany. Hero 
he set up family prayer in his own house, which some 
of his neighbors frequently attended, to whom he gave 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



21 



a word of exhortation and advice. The blessing of God 
attending those incipient efforts to do good, he was 
induced to extend his labors, and he began to hold 
meetings among his fellow-soldiers and others who 
wished to attend. After the arrival of Mr. Embury in 
New York, Capt. Webb, hearing of their having begun 
to hold meetings, paid them a visit." (Bangs' Hist, 
Meth., V. ii,p. 257.) From the above, it seems that he 
began to hold meetings in Albany either the same year 
that Mr. Embury began in New York, 1766, or the 
year previous. Capt. Webb appeared among the Method- 
ists in New York " shortly after they had formed 
themselves into a society," and before the rigging-loft 
was hired. (Young's Hist. Meth., p. 232; Bangs' Hist. 
Meth., vol. i, pp. 49, 50). A letter from the infant 
society in New York to Mr. Wesley, dated Api'il 11, 1768, 
says, " The above appears to be a genuine account of 
the state of religion in New York eighteen months ago, 
when it pleased God to rouse up Mr. Embury to employ 
his talent by calling sinners to repentance, and exhort- 
ing believers to let their light shine before men." ' ' About 
fourteen months ago, Capt. Webb, barrack-master at Al- 
bany, found them out, and preached in his regimentals." 
(Bangs' Hist. Meth., vol. i, p. 53-4). Thus it appears that 
Mr. Embury was aroused to duty in October, 1766, i. e., 
eighteen months before the above letter was written, 
that Capt. Webb began to hold meetings in Albany in 
1765 or 1766, and that he preached in New York about 
four months after Mr. Embury's first sermon, having 
previously preached in Albany, " first to his fellovr- 
soldiers, and afterward to all that were willing to hear 
him." From the above evidence it seems highly proba- 
ble that the first Methodist sermon in America was 
preached by Capt. Webb at Albany, or at least that he 
there held the first Methodist meetings for exhortation 



22 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

and prayer. I learn also that he visited and preached 
at Schenectady. No society, however, was formed in 
either of these cities until several years subsequent to 
17GG. Capt. Webb afterwards returned to England 
whi-rc })is labors were greatly blessed, lie died sud- 
denly in 179G. 

TIjc Rei\ Freeborn GarreUson was the apostle of 
Methodism in all the region now occupied by the Troy 
Conference. At the Conference of 1788 he was ap- 
pointed presiding elder of the district north of the city 
of yew York, and extending from New Roehclle, near 
New York city, to Lake Ciiamplain. At that time 
there were but six circuits in his large district, and but 
two of them within the bounds of what now constitutes 
the Troy Conference. " The Lord had raised up a 
number of zealous young men, who had entered the 
field of itinerancy with hearts lircd and filled with love 
to God and the souls of men. Several of these were 
placed under the charge of Mr. Garrettson, who was 
requested by Bp. Asbury to penetrate the country north 
of the city of New York, and form as many circuits as 
he could. 

*' A great portion of this country was entirely desti- 
tute of religious instructioji, more especially tlie north- 
ern and western parts of New York state, and the state 
of Vermont. There were, to bo sure, some small scat- 
tered congregations of Lutherans, and Dutch Reformed, 
along the banks of the Hudson river, and some Con- 
gregationalists and Baptists in \'ermont. It is mani- 
fest, however, that evperimental and practical religion 
was at a low ebb; aiul in most of the places, particu- 
larly in the new settlements on the west side of the 
Hudson river, not even the forms of it were to bo 
found." (Bangs' JIist.,\o\. i, p. 2G9.) 

The following account of the exercises of his mind. 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



23 



and of the manner in which he proceeded in the work 
of breaking up this new ground, is from Mr. Garrettson's 
own pen: " I was very uneasy in my mind, being un- 
acquainted with the country, an entire stranger to its 
inhabitants, there being no Methodist societies farther 
north than Westchester; but I gave myself to earnest 
prayer for direction. I knew that the Lord was with 
me. In the night season, in a dream, it seemed to me 
that the whole country, up the North river, as far as 
Lake Champlain, east and west, was open to my view. 

"After Conference adjourned, I requested the young 
men to meet me. Light seemed so reflected on my path 
that I gave them directions where to begin, and which 
way to form their circuits. I also appointed a time for 
each quarterly meeting, requesting them to take up a 
collection in every place where they preached, and told 
them I should go up the North river to the extreme parts 
of the work, visiting the towns and cities in the way, 
and on my return, I should visit them all, and hold their 
quarterly meetings. I had no doubt but that the Lord 
would do wonders, for the young men were pious, zeal- 
ous and laborious." 

Who can contemplate the scene here presented with- 
out emotions of admiration? In the spirit of the apostles, 
this band went forth, without money, without influence, 
without friends, trusting alone in God, to wage warfare 
against the kingdom of darkness, and gather souls to 
Christ. The strangest notions imaginable prevailed 
among some classes, as to the character and designs of 
these men of God. Some supposed they were the agents 
of the British government, and gravely predicted another 
war! Embassadors of a foreign Prince they were, in- 
deed, and a war ensued, but not such as was feared; 
their weapons were not carnal, their victories were 
bloodless. Others supposed they were the false prophets 



24 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

whc should come in the last days, and *' deceive, if it were 
possible, the very elect." And while some of the settled 
clergy became alarmed lest they should lose their con- 
gregations, from many a pulpit the note of warning was 
sounded against the ** wolves in sheep's clothing." 

God, however, was with these heroic pioneers of Me- 
thodism, opening their way before them, supporting them 
amid their trials, raising them up friends among stran- 
gers, and blessing their labors. If, as on the day of Pen- 
tecost, some *' mocked," others " were pricked in their 
hearts, and said to " Father Garrettson, "and to the rest 
of the " preachers, "men and brethren, what shall we 
dg?" •' My custom was," says Mr. Garrettson, ** to go 
round the district every three njonths, and then return to 
New York, where I commonly stayed about two weeks. 
In going once around, I usually traveled about a thousand 
miles, and preached upwards of a hundred times," 
{Garrettson's Life, p. 201.) At the close of their Jint 
year's labor, they returned over six hundred members. 
*' So mightily grew the word of the Lord, and prevailed." 

The minutes of llxH give the circuits and appoint- 
ments within our bounds, as follows: Cambridge. Lem- 
uel Smith; Shorcham, Darius Dunham ; New City (i. e. 
Lansingburgh), Samui 1 Q. Talbot; Lake Champkiin, 
Samuel Wigton. These appointments must be under- 
stood as indicating the places where these men were 
expected to form circuits, and not the actual existence 
of societies at that time. 

The first Methodist society formed within the limits 
of what is now the Troy Conference, was at Ashgrove, 
in Wasliington county, N. Y. It was organized by Mr. 
Philip Kinbury. After having been instrumental in the 
organization of the first Methodist society, and in build- 
ing the first Methodist church in America, he removed 
to Ashgrove, where he formed a society, consisting 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



25 



chiefly of a £ow Irish emigrants. Among these was Mr. 
Ashton, also an Irish emigrant, after whom the place 
was named. Mr. Embury was a carpenter by trade, and 
lived in humble life, a faithful Christian, and a useful 
local preacher, until the year 1775, when he died in 
peace, and was buried in the town of Cambridge, about 
seven miles north of Ashgrove. In 1832, his remains 
were removed, and with appropriate religious services, 
entombed in the burying ground in Ashgrove. In 1786, 
Mr. John Baker, another emigrant arrived from Ireland, 
and united with the little band at Ashgrove. After 
several unsuccessful attempts to get the services of a 
regular preacher, they succeeded in 1788, when Rev. 
Lemuel Smith was sent to them, the appointment, as 
above indicated, bearing the name of Cambridj2;e circuit. 
This may be considered the first circuit formed within 
our limits. Mr. Smith brought the society into regular 
order, and extended his labors in various directions with 
success. The same year the first Methodist church 
within the bounds of our present Conference, and, in- 
deed, the first north of Dutchess county, was erected 
at Ashgrove. A stone in the wall of the church at 
North White Creek, as well as the j-ecords of a book 
recently examined at the house of the widow Hanna, at 
Ashgrove, in which the New York Conference held its 
session in 1803, testify to the fact that this first church 
was erected in 1788. It was subsequentl}'^ enlarged and 
afterward destroyed, and a new one was erected a few 
rods from the former site. This was destroyed by fire, 
and the present house of worship was erected in its 
stead. Mr. Smith was succeeded by Mr. Darius Dun- 
ham, in 1789. Ashgrove, at an early date, became a 
centre and strong-hold of Methodism, and around it 
cluster some of the most interesting associations of cur 
early denominational history. There, side by side, repose 



26 TRnv L<)>KhKK>ri. M INri.l.UAMT. 

the remains of those faithful men of God and preachers 
of the word, Philii) Kiubiiry, David Noble and David 
Brown. Of the furmcr of these I have already spoken. 

Mr. David Noble was a loeul preacher, a holy, zeal- 
ous man, wlio had emigrated from Ireland about 1794. 
He resided at Johnsburg, from which place, when in 
the 74(h year ol his age, he went to visit a married 
daughter near Ashgrove. In the evening of the same 
day, July 10, IS07, as he was exhorting the people with 
his aeeustomcd zeal, in a little pulpit that had been 
fitted up in the school-house, he warned them to bo 
prepared to die, and said lie Messed God that he was 
ready to go at any moment when God should please to 
call him. lie had no sooner spoken these words than 
he sunk back in his chair, and in a icw moments, with- 
out uttering another word, expired. On his tomb- 
stone is the following epitaph: 

'• This man was faithful in his Master's cause; 

Three minutes exchange 1 the pulpit for eternal joys." 

Many of his descendants in and about Juhnsburg are 
members of the M. K. church, and one of them. Rev. 
Edward Noble, is a member of the Troy Conference. 

Mr. David Brown was born in ilie county of Down, 
Ireland, in 17GJ; entered the traveling connection in 
this country in 1791; and died at Ashgrove, in Septem- 
ber, 1803, in the llth year of his age. Few even 
among the best of men have been so generally beloved 
in life, or so greatly lamented in death, as was this holy 
man. His cheerfulness, seasoned with all the gentleness 
of humble love; his meekness, wisdom and uniform 
stability won the affections and sealed the friendship of 
his C()temj)orarics. He had a peculiar cx'cellence in re- 
proof. Its edge was so keen, and yet so tempered with 
cheerful kindness, as at the time to give pleasure rather 
than pain; and yet so directed as to produce with uu- 



if 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



27 



erring certainty, its cflcct. Often, it was not until 
some time after he had gone, that his supposed plea- 
santry was first seen to have a pointed, serious meaning. 
He lost no love by his reproofs. God blessed his labors 
to the salvation of many, and in the terrible pains at- 
tendant upon the dysentery of which he died, the river 
of peace in his soul was raised to a flood-tide of joy, 
upon the bosom of which he entered into the desired 
haven. His last words were, "The Lord's will be 
done; my anchor is cast within the veil." Surely the 
memory of these worthies should be cherished by their 
spiritual descendants. For other particulars relative 
to this holy man, the reader is referred to the Autobio- 
graphy of Rev. T. Spicer, p. 63. 

]n that same sacred spot, the Ashgrove grave-yard, 
repose the ashes of others of that first little Methodist 
band wathin our borders. Could they arise from their 
dusty beds and behold the advancement of that work in 
which they toiled and suffered, how would thej^ exclaim, 
*' What hath God wrought?" Who knows but they 
do look down from the resting place of their spirits, 
and rejoice in the spread of scriptural holiness in our 
midst? Among those whose remains repose in that spot, 
we ought not to forget the name of Mr, Ashton, the first 
Methodist in Ashgrove, by whom the ground was given 
to the church. This devoted man fitted up a room in 
his house, which, for many years, was known far and 
near as the Preacher's Room. There Asbury and 
Garrettson, and very many other weary itinerants, found 
a hearty welcome, a place of retreat and repose from 
their long journeys, a home, when such homes for 
Methodist preachers were " iew and far between." In 
his last will he bequeathed to the society some two or 
three acres of ground adjoining the grave-yard, on which 
a parsonage was built, which was doubtless the first 



28 TROY CONFERKNCK MISCELLANY. 

one owned by the church within our bounds. IIo 
also gave a cow lor the use of the preacher, and a 
perpetual annuity of ten dollars to be paid to the oldest 
unmarried traveling preacher of the New York Confer- 
ence. Besides this, he gave all the furniture of the 
Preacher's Room. Among these articles was a large 
chair occupied by l^ishops Asbury and Whatcoat when 
presiding at the first Conference within our bounds, 
wliich was held at the house of Mr. John Haker, at Ash- 
grove, in ISOS, the friends in that immediate neighbor- 
hood being better able to entertain the preachers than 
they were in the vicinity of the church. This chair is 
still preserved in the parsonage. To allow the name of 
Asliton to be forgotten among us would be alike barba- 
rous and ungrateful. Some account of the early history 
of Methodism in Ashgrove may be found in the Metho- 
dist Migazine for 18'27. 

In 1789 two other circuits appear on the Minutes, 
vi/: Coeymans Patent and Schenectady. John Craw- 
ford was appointed to the former, and Lemuel Smith 
and Cornelius Cook to the latter. In June or July, 
1789, Mr. Garrettson preached in the Assembly Chamber 
at Albany, "but found much opposition among the 
citizens generally to the truths he delivered. A few, 
however, bowed a willing obedience to the word, and a 
small society seemed to be in a flourishing state." (Gar- 
rettsoii's Life, p. 204-5.) Thus we learn that one of the 
first societies in this region was in the city of Albany. 
From Albany Mr. Garrettson went to Schenectady, where 
he also " found a strong current of prejudice setting in 
against his endeavors to do good, tliough he was per- 
mitted to preach in the English church." Kvery where 
within our bounds high-toned Calvinism prevailed and 
presented a bold opposition to our pioneers. Later in 
the same year, " after holding a quarterly meeting at 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 29 

P 

Asligrove, which was attended with signal displays 
of the power of God. Mr. Garrettson returned to Alba- 
ny, where he met the little society." The same year 
was one of prosperity in Canaan, under the labors of 
Messrs. Bloodgood and Wighton. 

A circumstance occurred on the 23d of July of this 
year, 1789, which well nigh deprived the church of the 
services of the pious and talented Garrettson. Being in 
Sharon, Conn., he went out into the field to catch his 
horse. "He was tied with a long rope," says Mr. G., "and 
as I had hold of the rope, he gave a sudden start, and by 
some means the rope got around my arm and body so 
that I was thrown and bereft of my senses. How long 
I lay in that situation I know not. I knew not who 
or where I was. After lying some time in as much 
pain as if I had been on a rack or wheel, I made an at- 
tempt to lay my head on my hat for a pillow, and saw 
the two first letters of my name in my hat, and imme- 
diately I knew myself, and cried out, ' Is this poor Gar- 
rettson?* 'Where is he and what is the matter?' I 
received a small degree of strength, and arose from the 
earth, walked to the house, and was laid upon a bed. 
Providentially, a skillful surgeon was at hand, who came 
to me and found my shoulder dislocated, and my left 
wrist, thumb and shoulder, and several fingers much 
strained, my body severely bruised, and several contu- 
sions on my head. Several assisted, and my shoulder 
was replaced, blood was let, and my wounds bound up. 
Immediately after I was bled, I recovered my senses as 
perfectly as ever, and was enabled to look up by faith 
to my beloved Savior, and received a strong confidence 
in him. Many came to see me, and my soul was so 
happy that I was constrained with tears to exhort all 
that came near. I think I never had so strong a wit- 
ness of perfect love. I was enabled to bless God for 
2 



80 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

the aflliction, and would not have it otherwise. I do 
believe it was rendered a blessing to the place.** 

In the very front rank of that noble band of men who 
planted Methodism in these United States, is the posi- 
tion of Freeborn Garrettson. In piety, ability, labor, 
suftl'ring, and success, he was equaled by few, scarcely 
exceeded by any. He was born in Maryland, in 1752. 
Like most of the preeminently good and useful men 
who have blessed the world, he owed his early religious 
bias to a devout mother. He was converted to God, in 
1775. At that time he was the legal owner of a num- 
ber of slaves, that fell to him on the death of his fa- 
ther. Soon after his conversion, his mind became deeply 
dejected, he *' was encompassed with darkness, and the 
most severe distress." In this state of mind, he one day 
called his fiimily together to attend family devotions. 
*• I stood," says Mr. Garrettson, " with a book in my 
hand, in the act of giving out a hymn; this thought 
powerfully struck my mind, * It is not right for you to 
keep your fellow-creatures in bondage; you must let the 
oppressed go free.' 1 knew it to be that same blessed 
voice which had spoken to me before. Till then I had 
never suspected that the practice of slave-keeping was 
wrong; I had not read a book on the subject, nor been 
told so by any. I paused a minute, and then replied, 
* Lord, the opressed shall go free.' And I was as clear 
of them in my mind as if I never owned one. I told 
them they did not belong to me, and that I did not de- 
sire their services without making them a compensation. 
I was now at liberty to proceed in worship. After 
singing, I kneeled to pray. Had I the tongue of an 
angel, I could not fully describe what I felt: all my 
dejection, and that melancholy gloom which preyed 
upon me, vanished in a moment, and a divine sweetness 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 31 

ran through my whole frame." This event speaks for 
itself. We can scarcely help asking, however, whether 
God required more at his hands, than he does of others 
in similar circumstances. Happy had it been for the 
church and the nation, if all our preachers and people 
similarly situated had followed his example. The day 
of judgment will reveal some startling things relative to 
that " crying sin." 

Some idea of what he passed through during thejifty 
two years of his itinerant life, may be gathered from 
the following extract of a letter written to Mr. Wesley, 
when he had traveled but nine years: " My lot has 
mostly been cast in new places, to form circuits, which 
much exposed me to persecution. Once I was im- 
prisoned; twice beaten; left on the highway speechless 
and senseless (I must have gone into a world of spirits, 
had not God in mercy sent a good Samaritan, that bled 
me and took me to a friend's house); once shot at; guns 
and pistols presented at my head; once delivered from 
an armed mob, in the dead time of night, on the high- 
way, by a surprising flash of lightning; surrounded 
frequently by mobs ; stoned frequently ; I have had to 
escape for my life, at dead time of night. Oh! shall I 
ever forget the divine hand which has supported me." 
(Xz/e Gari'ettson, p. 168.) 

From North Carolina to Nova Scotia, he labored 
with inextinguishable zeal and glorious success. Our 
limits forbid our giving anything like an outline of his 
history or character. The reader is referred to the life 
of this noble, lovely, exemplary man, by Dr. Bangs. 

In 1790, Albany and also New Lebanon circuits ap- 
pear on the minutes. The preachers on the latter of 
these were Samuel Smith, and Thomas Everard. Du- 
ring this year these men introduced Methodism into 
Pittsfield, Mass., and as that became at an early date 



S2 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

a prominent position, a brief skctcli of our history in 
that town is hero given. 

It is believed that the first Methodist preaching 
in Pittsfield was in the east part of the town where an 
appointment was established, first at the house of Mr. 
Z. Ilcrrick, afterward at Mr. N. "Webb's, just over the 
line, in the town of Dalton, and subsequently it was re- 
moved to the school-house near Mr. Ilerrick's residence 
in the east part of Pittsfield. The precise time when a 
society was organized there, is not known. 

About the same time or soon after, Mr. Smith visited 
the west part of the town, and preached at tlic house of 
Colonel Root. The following year, 1791, Rev. Robert 
Green, being on the Stockbridge circuit, preached at 
the house of Mr. Stevens in the same neighborhood. 
Being detained there some days by a snow storm, he 
visited from house to house, and preached repeatedly. 
God poured out his Spirit, souls were saved, and the 
first Methodist society in Pittsfield was formed. A 
regular appointment was established at the school-house, 
and about the year 1800 a church was raised, enclosed 
and dedicated, which, however, the feeble society were 
not able to complete until some years after. 

In 180G a very general revival prevailed throughout 
the town, by which our cause was greatly strengthened. 
The New York Conference held its session in that church 
in 1810. In 1812, a secession took place, another 
house of worship was erected, and a Reformed Methodist 
church was organized, which has long since ceased to 
exist. The first Methodist sermon ever known to have 
been preached in the village of Pittsfield, was by Rev. 
Freeborn Garrettson. The precise date is unknown. 
Methodism in that place is much indebtctl to Rev. Ro- 
bert Green, who not only organized the first society, 
but alsi, after ceasing to travel, located there, and in 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



83 



1806 or 1807, Rev. Laban Clark dedicated Mr. Green's 
house as a place for the mmistry of the word, where oc- 
casional sermons were preached for many years. The 
first society in the village was formed August 22, 1827, 
and consisted of eleven members. In 1829, just forty 
years after the introduction of ^lethodism into the totvn, 
the church in East street was erected, and Pittsfield, 
which had previously constituted a part of a large circuit, 
soon after became a separate charge. This charge has 
been favored with revivals from time to time, the most 
extensive of which occured in the winter of 1837 and 
J 838, while Eev. Henry Smith was pastor, and in which 
Rev. James Caughey was a principal instrument. A 
number of ministers have been raised up and sent out 
from Pittsfield, some of whom have become distinguished 
for ability and success. 

Parmely Chamberlain, Nathaniel Kellogg, F. G. Hib • 
bard, Abiathar M. Osbon, D. D. Russell, M. Little, R. 
Pierce, and W. W. Pierce, here received license to 
preach, and the first four named are said to have been 
also converted there. Since the village became a sepa- 
rate charge, the following traveling preachers have been 
licensed by its quarterly conference, viz: Richard Brown, 
Adam Jones, J. S. Hart and C. M. Anderson. In 1851, 
while the writer held the pastoral relation to that church, 
a new and superior house of worship was erected on 
Fenn street in a central part of the village. 

Returning to the period to which we had traced our 
history, we find that in 1791, the Saratoga circuit was 
formed; and in June of the same year, Mr. Garrettson 
dedicated the first Methodist Church in the city of Al- 
bany, to the worship of Almighty God. (See Garrettson's 
Life, -p. 227.) This was a small building, about thirty- 
two by forty-four feet, which the infant society had 
erected on the corner of Pearl and Orange streets. In 



84 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

1798, Albany, whicli liad previously constituted a part 
of Albany circuit, became a separate station, and Rev. 
Joel Ketchum was its first stationed preacher. For 
twenty-two years, the little building in Pearl street held 
all the Methodists in that city. There Robert Green, 
Joel Ketchum, Cyrus Stebbins, Dr. Phoebus, Daniel 
Ostrander, Lewis Pease, Samuel Merwin, and others, 
held I'ortli the word of life. Under the administration of 
the last named, in 1813, the church in Division street 
was erected. The church in Pearl street was subse- 
quently occupied by the Baptists, and also by the Cam- 
eronians, and is now (1853) used as a grocery-store and 
dwelling. 

In the same year that the first church was dedicated 
in Albany, Mr. Garrettson, speaks of a *' small flock*' in 
Johnstown, and of having contracted for a lot and en- 
gaged men to build a house of worship in that place. 
This buildiiii,', if the writer is correctly informed, was 
in the principal street of the village, and was subse- 
quently disposed of, and the society broken up. By a 
reference to the sketch of Rev. J. D. Moriarty, in another 
part of this volume, it will be seen that the present 
church in that village was erected under his administra- 
tion in 1829. 

Sometime in the year 1795, the eccentric Billy Ilib- 
bard preached his first sermon. It was in a tavern kept 
by a professed deist, at Hinsdale Flatts, Mass. God 
blessed his first discourse to the conversion of an aged 
man, who soon after died in the peace of the gospel. 
Mr. llibbard preached frequently in Hinsdale and the 
neighboring towns during the two succeeding years, and 
in 1797, was sent by the presiding elder to assist Rev. 
C. Stebbins, on Pittsfield circuit. Thus began his 
career of self-denying, zealous labors, which were con- 
tinued for nearly half a century. 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



B5 



The first Methodist preacher that is known to have 
visited Warren or Essex counties in New York, was 
Rev. Richard Jacobs. He was one of the band of 
pioneers under Mr. Garrettson, who first explored this 
region in that capacity. He belonged to a wealthy 
family of the " standing order " in Sheffield, Berkshire 
county, Mass. For becoming a Methodist he was dis- 
inherited by his father, and, with his young wife, thrown 
out penniless upon the world. In the spring of 1796, he 
left his family at Clifton Park and took a tour through 
northern New York, as far as Essex and Clinton coun- 
ties, preaching to the few scattered inhabitants of that 
region. At Elizabethtown numbers were awakened and 
converted, and leaving the few sheep in the wilderness, 
for such that whole country then was, he promised that 
if possible a preacher should be sent them. After 
spending some weeks along the western shore of Lake 
Champlain, he started, in company with a Mr. Kellogg, 
to return to his family by way of the Schroon woods to 
the head of Lake George and thence to Clifton Park. 
They spent some seven days in the woods, meeting with 
almost insurmountable obstructions. Their provisions 
failing them, they became exhausted, and, attempting in 
that state to ford the Schroon river upon horseback, 
Mr. Jacobs was drowned. His family were all converted ; 
three of his sons became ministers, and two of his 
daughters married Methodist preachers, one of whom is 
the wife of Rev. Dr. Luckey. (See Christian Advocate, 
May 20, 1836.) 

The first circuit ever formed in Vermont was the 
Vershire circuit, on which Nicholas Snethen was the 
first stationed preacher. The first regular society west 
of the Green Mountains, Vt.. was in Brandon, Rutland 
county. (See Chn. Adv., vol. 8, p. 7.) The first circuit 
in that part of Vermont embraced within the present 



36 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

bounds of the Troy Conference, was the Vergcnnes, which 
first appears in the minutes of 1798. Joseph Mitchell 
and Abncr Wood were the first preachers regularly 
appointed there. Mr. Mitchell was a man of extraor- 
dinary natural powers, lie was shrewd, witty, energetic 
and an overwhelming preacher. Lorenzo Dow relates 
in his journal an instance in which such an impression 
was made under his preaching, on a quarterly meeting 
occasion, that the usual business could not be transacted. 
When he began to exhort, a trembling commenced among 
the unconverted; one after another fell from their seats, 
and for eleven hours there was no cessation of the cries 
of the smitten assembly. 

While Mr. Mitchell was on Vergcnnes circuit, he 
received a youth into the church, of whom a brief notice 
is here given. This youth was born in Dutchess county, 
N. Y. His mother was a Methodist, and used to take 
lier boy with htr to the class-meetings. On one occasion, 
after Father Abbott had preached, he led the class; and 
after having spoken to the others, he turned to this lad 
and said: *' Well, my boy, do you think you arc a sin- 
ner?" He replied, " Yes, sir." Mr. Abbott then with 
his accustomed vehemence said, " There is many a boy 
in hell not as old as you are;" and went on exhorting 
him to lepent. This unexpected address not only fright- 
ened him; it also produced a real religious concern, 
which, however, gradually subsided. Subsequent!}' he 
removed with his parents to Vermont. AVhen about 
fifteen or sixteen years of age, being a good reader, a 
Methodist neighbor, who held meetings at his house, 
engaged him to read one of Wesley's sermons each sab- 
bath, while he led the other religious services. The 
lady of this family used to talk with him privately on 
the subject of religion, and he says: ** Her conversations, 
more than any thing else, were the means of my seeking 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



37 



religion.'* On his way home from one of these meet- 
ings, he went into the woods, and, kneeling by a large 
tree, renouneed his sins, and entered into a solemn 
covenant with God to devote himself to his service. 
How that vow was kept, is happily evinced in his sub- 
sequent history. He did not, however, obtain a sense 
of the divine favor at that time. For several weeks he 
sought after God, night and day, with anguish of soul 
and many tears. At length, one sabbath, after preach- 
ing, Mr. Mitchell held a class-meeting, during which the 
distress of this youth became almost insupportable. At 
its close, special prayer was made in his behalf, and 
while the man of God and the pious cottagers bowed 
around him were engaged in earnest supplication, the 
sinner's friend spoke peace to his troubled soul. That 
da3% December 27, 1798, the name of Elijah Hedding 
was written in Heaven, and the same day entered on a 
class-book as a probationer in that church of which he 
afterwards became a distinguished minister and a. truly 
apostolic bishop. To two pious females, his mother and 
the lady alluded to above, the church is indebted for 
the services of more than half a century, rendered her 
by the man whose portrait graces our volume, and whose 
memory will be precious as long as ''Christianity, in 
earnest," is known in the earth. 

In February of the year in which Bishop Hedding was 
converted to God, Joseph Sawyer preached a sermon at 
Petersburgh, on the barren fig tree. Among those 
present was a young man, a school teacher. It was 
the first sermon he had ever heard from a Methodist 
preacher; and the word brought him into the deepest 
distress in view of his exposedness to the Divine wrath. 
Soon after he was made a partaker of justifying grace. 
There was at the time a class in Hoosick, but none in 
Petersburgh; and the young man in question proposed 



88 TUOY CONKKRENCE MISCELLANY. 

to unite with the lloosick class; but as his wife and two 
or three otiiers were brouglit to Christ about tlie same 
time, a class was forined of which he was made the 
leader. Thus originated the first Methodist society in 
Petersburgh, N. Y., and thus began the religious life 
and evangelical labors of Ebenezer Washburn, who for 
about half a century continued in the field. 

Furnished with a Hymn Book and Discipline, he began 
first to hold class-meetings, and soon after to exhort 
publicly. Souls were converted to God, and at the close 
of the conference year the class numbered over thirty 
members. Soon Mr. Washburn was licensed to preach, 
and during the following winter his labors were the 
means of the conversion of about thirty persons on the 
Petersburgh mountain, who were formed into a class by 
Peter Vaimest. "About this time,'' writes Mr. Wash- 
burn, *' I went to New Ashford to fill an appointment for 
one of the circuit preachers. A great congregation 
came together, and I read a hymn and prayed; and 
after singing again I gave out a text and divided my 
subject into three general propositions, from each of 
which I promised to speak to the people. No sooner 
had I done this than the whole subject seemed to close 
up from my view; all my premeditated matter was gone 
from me; and my mind appeared to be wrapped in more 
than midnight darkness. I inwardly cried to God for 
help, but found no relief. I spoke to the people about 
thirty-five minutes, and sat down completely confounded 
and ashamed. I called on an exhorter to close the 
meeting, hoping that he would say something to the 
edification of the congregation; but he knelt down and 
made a shork prayer, without making any reference to 
the preacher or the words he had spoken. I refused to 
wait for any refreshments, and hurried away to the 
aflenioon appointment, which was distant about four 




HISTORY OF METHODISM. 39 

miles. Here I also met a large congregation, and, to 
my surprise, I recognized a number of faces which I 
had seen at the morning appointment. I had great 
liberty of speech in addressing them, and the Lord laid 
to his helping hand, and we had the shout of a king in 
the camp of Israel. About six months after this, I was 
passing through New Ashford with my wife, and put up 
for the night with brother Sherwood, the leader of the 
class. After supper, sister Sherwood began to speak to 
my wife about my having preached there the spring 
before. I said: ' Sister, do not say anything about 
that unfortunate morning; let it pass into the land of 
forgetfulness.' 'Why so?' said brother Sherwood, 'it 
was one of the best sermons we have ever had in this 
place. We have seven very likely young men now in 
society who were awakened under that discourse.' 
'Then,' said I, 'glory be to God; I am sure it is God 
that awakens souls, and not the preacher.' " 

Peter Vannest, in an account of his labors on Pitts- 
field circuit, in 1799, writes: " At a place called Dal- 
ton, I think, we had an appointment in a school-house, 
where there was great opposition; but the Lord carried 
on his own work. A number were converted; among 
whom was a young woman of a respectable family, an 
only daughter. When she was under conviction the 
Presbyterian minister waited on her, and wished her to 
join his church, saying that it was more honorable than 
the Methodist. I heard her say that she did not want 
honor ; she would sooner crawl through the mud on her 
hands and knees to heaven, than to ride to hell in a 
coach. When she went home after joining the society, 
her father said he would not have the ' whore of Baby- 
lon in his house,' so he turned her out. Her mother 
followed her at a distance to see where she went; she 
found shelter in the house of a poor man, by the name 



40 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

of Durkic, where slio was entertained on the best they 
had. The Lord hlessed lier visit to tlie conversion of 
the man and his wife; glory be to his lioly name. She 
went about twenty miles to a place called Adams, to 
keep school ; but whether she ever went home again or 
not, I can not tell. 

*• At that place they employed a young man from 
Williiimstown college to drive the Methodists out of 
the place. JIc was a large young man, wearing a 
morning gown and his head powdered. When I had 
done speaking the people kept their seats, and he rose 
and commenced asking me questions. We agreed so 
well in all points of doctrine, that, instead of destroy- 
ing Methodism, he helped to establish it! Sometimes 
the devil over-shoots the mark." 

In 1799, B. llibbard and II. Ryan were on Cambridge 
circuit. They traveled about five hundred miles and 
filled sixty-three appointments every four weeks. This, 
however, they found to be too much for them, and 
some appointments were attached to another circuit. 
Mr. llibbard says, *' On Cambridge circuit the Lord 
wrought wonders. About three hundred, I believe, 
were awakened and converted, though the net increase 
was not quite two hundred." His residence was at 
Bethlehem, about forty-five miles from Ashgrove, the cen- 
tre of his extensive circuit. 

Of the early history of Methodism in Bethlehem, he 
says, •• When I was first acquainted with this class 
about a year before, there were only eight members. 
We lived with them two years, and when we moved 
away the number in class was eighty-four." A single 
incident from his memoirs may serve to show the bitter 
persecutions to which the early Methodists were subject- 
ed in many places. 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 41 

*' The persecution in Thurman's Patent* was truly 
grievous. Many young people that experienced religion 
were turned out of doors by their parents. Some of 
them were whipped cruelly ; Uvo young zvomen ivere so 
whipped by their father that the blood ran doion to their 
feet, and he then turned them out of doors, and they 
walked fifteen miles to a Methodist society,'^ That father 
was a church member. Two younger brothers having 
been converted, were often severely beaten for attending 
Methodist meetings. *' It astonished me," says Mr. 
Hibbard, "that the father of ten children, eight of 
whom had experienced religion, should drive six of 
them from his house, and whip these two boys for no 
other crime, in reality, than that of worshiping God with 
the Methodists." That father did not whip religion 
nor Methodism out of his children, for some of their 
descendants are now among our wealthy, influential and 
devoted members. 

Thus from year to year the work spread and new so- 
cieties were organized. Feeble, indeed, they were, and 
remote from each other; yet the Lord was with them. 
Before the close of the last century, Essex and Platts- ! 

burgh circuits were formed, and a noble band of men, 

* Some of our readers may not recognize Thurman's Patent 
by that name. The territory now embraced in Warren county was 
at that time called Thurman's Patent. In that region, as we have 
seen, Mr. Jacobs found a watery grave, in 1796. The first society 
there was organized about that time, by Mr. Ryan, and consisted of 
seven members, the particular locality of which is not known to the 
writer. (See T. Spicer^s Life^ p. 34.) About the same time, Mr. Noble, 
who died so suddenly at Ashgrove, went to reside in Johnsburgh and 
thus introduced Methodism there. Our cause, however, gained but 
little permanent hold in that region until some years later, when it 
was known as Thurman's circuit, and at a later period as Warren 
circuit-, it is now divided into Warrensburgh and Chester, Schroon, 
Johnsburgh and Luzerne circuits. 
3 



42 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

who subsequently did glorious tilings under God, bad 
been raised up and thrust out into this part of the field. 
Among them were James Covel, Sen., John Crawford, 
Danifl Rroniley, Kobert Green, Joseph Mitchell, Elijah 
Wolsey, Ebeiiezer Stevens, Ezekiel Canfield, John Fin- 
negan, I^lly llibbard, Shadrack Rostwick, and Elijah 
Iledding. These men of God traveled circuits larger 
than our present presiding elders' districts, endured 
privation and performed labors that would seem incredi- 
ble were they not well authenticated, and which were 
worthy of the apostolic age. Amid obloquy and perse- 
cution, they laid the broad foundations of that work 
which has since progressed so marvelously. Many of 
them were not higl'ily favored as to literary training, 
but their souls were fired and expanded by the love of 
God. They were men of good natural abilities, and 
their constant contact with the world gave them a 
knowledge of human nature, in all its phases, that has 
rarely been surpassed. " There were giants in those 
days.*' The Herculean tasks to which the pioneer min- 
istry of the M. E. Church were called, could not fail, 
either to drive them from the field, or to develop the 
noblest traits of cliaracter. Nothing was more common 
than for tlicm to be interrupted in the midst of their 
discourses by objections to their strange doctrines, and 
they were compelled to engage in almost daily contro- 
versy. By this means, these despised " circuit riders " 
acquired a skill in the use of the scriptures, and a power 
in debate tliat enabled them to put to confusion many of 
the ** regularly educated ministry." 

Pittstown, Fort Ann, Schroon, Broadalbin, Mayfield, 
and Bethlehem, were among the places in which Method- 
ism gained more or less foothold before the close of the 
last century. 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 43 

CHAPTER II. 

FROM ISOO TO TUE ORGANIZATION OF THE TROY CONFERENCE IN 1832. 

In November, 1799, Lorenzo Dow left his appoint- 
ment on Essex circuit, and Elijah Heddiiig began his itiner- 
ant labors by supplying it, under the sanction of the 
presiding elder. He labored there about three months, 
and being at the time but an exhorter he did not take a 
text. In April or May, of 1800, he was licensed to 
preach, and in November of the same j'ear was sent to 
Plattsburgh circuit. There the first fruits of his labors 
were gathered. The circuit was reported to be " all on 
fire," and " the scene of singular displays of God's con- 
verting and sanctifying power." He spent about six 
weeks there, and then was removed to Cambridge circuit, 
to supply the place of a preacher who was taken sick. 
An humble cottage on the west side of Cumberland 
Head, about two miles from the village of Plattsburgh, 
has been pointed out to the writer as the place where 
this distinguished servant of God preached his first 
sermon. The minutes give no account of members on 
Plattsburgh circuit, until 1800, when one hundred and 
seven were reported. 

In September of 1800, Rev. Jesse Lee, the apostle of 
Methodism in New England, in one of those extensive 
tours which these men were accustomed to make, passed 
through a part of our territory. On Sunday, the 2 1st, 
after holding a love-feast and preaching twice on the 
other side of the Canada line, he says in his journal, 
" I then took leave of Canada and rode back to Ver- 
mont, and down to Church's in St. Albans, and at night 
preached on Titus ii, 12. I had a sweet time, preach- 
ing to the strange people, and they were remarkably 
attentive, and heard as though it had been for their 



44 TRQY CONFERENCK MISCELLANY. 

lives. Then brotlicr Peter Vannest exliorted with some 
life. We had a crowded house." "Saturday 27th." 
continues his journal, " we rode through Pawlet, and 
Rupert, and into tlie state of New York. I had been in 
Vermont eigliteen days, and preached twenty-three ser- 
mons. "We then rode througli Salem, to Peter Sweet- 
zer's. On that plantation Philip Embury died." He 
pursued his journey preaching at Cambridge, Troy, and 
New Lebanon, and so passed out of our bounds into 
Massachusetts. (See Stevens' Memorials, series ii. p. 57.) 
During the conference year of 1800-1, Peter Vannest 
endured great trials and sufferings on Essex, afterwards 
called Fletcher circuit, Vt.; but God was with him, 
and he says, *' I baptized, by sprinkling, pouring, and 
immersion, about four hundred persons." With my 
reader's permission I will introduce him to one or two 
scenes that occured in tlic winter of that year. *' My 
work required me to cross Missisquc river. "When winter 
came, I was unablo ti get my horse over the river on 
account of the boat being sunk ; I therefore left him 
with a friend to bring to St. Albans, a distance of about 
seventeen miles. I got over the river myself in a canoe, 
at double ferriage, an account of the drift ice. Itra-- 
veled about one hundred miles on foot, and most of the 
way through the woods and deep snow, without a track, 
sometimes stepping into spring-holes up to my knees 
in mud and water; the snow would wear off the mud, 
but not dry my feet. On one occasion, in going sixteen 
miles through the woods, when I came to a liouse, they 
told me tliat one of my ears was frozen. I went out of 
the house, and held snow to it, in order to draw out 
the frost; but it continued sore until the skin all peeled 
off. Some part of my way was on the ice, which at that 
season covered Missisque bay, where I found the water 
three or four inches deep, and being compelled to travel 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 45 

in shoes (having no boots), I had wet feet, of course. 
Thus I traveled on until I came to St. Albans, where I 
found my horse, and so traveled on until the beginning 
of summer, when my horse died at brother Craig's, in 
Waterbury." . 

The same year. Brandon circuit, which had previously \ 

constituted a part of the Vcrgennes charge, was formed, | 

That year also, " Pittsfield circuit felt a shock of the I 

divine power," which exerted its purifying influence on \ 

the place. In 1800, Abner Chase, another well known ; 

veteran itinerant, was converted to God, somewhere in j, 

the region of Johnstown or Northampton, within the 
bounds of what was then the Saratoga circuit. A pious 
female, the wife of a class-leader, he writes, " used to 
talk to me when I was but a lad so sweetly about Jesus, 
that my young heart many times melted, and I wished 
I was a Christian. She used generally to close the in- 
terview by laying her hands upon my head and offering 
up a fervent prayer, that God would make me a Christ 
ian. On one occasion, she not only prayed that God 
would make me a Christian, but a minister also. I seem 
to feel at this very moment something of that unearthly 
influence which sometimes rested upon me on these occa- 
sions." 

In a little work, entitled Recollections of the Past, 
Mr. Chase introduces us to a quarterly meeting held in 
in the summer of 1801, at Kingsborough, Fulton county, 
another of the early posts gained by our army. He was 
one of thh-ty or forty who on that occasion lodged at 
the house of Mr. William Bentley, sleeping on the floor 
in rows as is now done at camp-meetings. Soon after, 
a quarterly meeting was held in the town of Northamp- 
ton abont seven miles north of the Fish-house, at which 
the following singular and somewhat ludicrous scene 
occurred: 



49 TUOY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

" The meeting was held in a large barn, the female 
part of the congregation ocenpying the floor, while the 
men occupied the hay-mow. While the prayer-meeting 
on Saturday afternoon was progressing in a good spirit, 
a wagon was driven up, in which was a number of young 
persons of both sexes. Tlicy came in high glee, alighted 
from the wagon, and after standing awhile at the door, 
and listening to several prayers from some of the females, 
one of the young women from the wagon pressed through 
the crowd, declaring she would pull down the next 
female that attempted to pray. Accordingly, as one 
commenced praying, she laid hold of her hair and drew 
her backwards, and when another commenced she 
treated her in like manner. This produced a great 
excitement throughout the congregation, and yet no 
forcible means were used to compel the young woman 
to cease from her rudeness, but several of the females 
commenced praying that God would lay his hand upon 
her, and show her and her companions that he could 
vindicate his own cause and protect his people. The 
spirit of these praying females seemed to be instantly 
dilfused through the praying part of the assembly, as by 
a (lash of electricity ; and I have often thought that if I 
ever saw a company of praying people agreed, as touch- 
ing one thing, it was on that occasion. While lips and 
heart were thus employed, this rude young woman 
seemed at once paralyzed, and stood like a statue; a 
death-like paleness came over her countenance, she 
trembled and fell to the floor as one dead. A loud shriek 
was uttered by her companions at the door; and after a 
short pause two young men, who had accompanied her 
to the place, pressed through the crowd — though with as 
much apparent alarm as though they had been approach- 
ing a loaded cannon, ready to be discharged — laid hold 
of her clothing and drew her through the congregation, 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 47 

and through the 3'ard, which had recently been wet by 
a shower; with her garments torn and besmeared with 
mud and manure, the3^ threw her[into the wagon, which 
the rest of the company entered with all possible haste, 
and drove away with speed. What became of her after- 
wards, I never learned." 

It was not until 1801 that presiding elder^' districts 
received a distinct name. The region now included in 
Troy Conference, and an extensive country west of us, 
was then all included in the Albany and Pittsfield dis- 
tricts, and there were then about sixteen traveling 
preachers within our limits. In 1802 the work was first 
divided into Annual Conferences, and that part of our 
territory lying west of the Hudson river was included 
in the Philadelphia, while the eastern part was embraced 
in the New York Conference, until two years later, when 
it was all attached to the latter. The ecclesiastical 
year 1801-2 was one of general prosperity. 

In June, 1801, Elijah Hedding was received on trial 
by the New York Conference, and appointed to Platts- 
burgh circuit as an assistant to Elijah Chichester. God 
was with these modern Elijahs. Plattsburgh circuit 
then extended from Ticonderoga into Canada. There 
the youthful Hedding and his colleague forded streams, 
traversed forests, faced the pelting storms of that severe 
climate, slept in log cabins, and kindled a flame that 
after the lapse of half a century is not extinguished. 
Multitudes, through their instrumentality, were brought 
to God and into the bosom of the church. The next 
year, Hedding was on the Fletcher circuit, which took 
in an extensive range of country in Vermont, between 
the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain, where, amid 
persecutions and privations, he assisted in planting that 
vine that now grows so luxuriantly and beautifies the 
Green Mountain state. 



48 TROY CONFERKNCE MISCELLANY. 

In 1801, wliat had been called the Pittsfield district, 
whicli included the whole of our ground east of the 
Hudson river and Lake Champlain, and Pittsburgh 
circuit on the west, took the name of Ashgrove dis- 
trict. In 18 H it was divided, and the northern part 
took the name of Champlain district. The southern 
part retained the name of Ashgrove until 1821, when 
the Saratoga district was formed, and the Ashgrove 
district was divided between it and some others. 

A connected outline of the history of Methodism in 
Troy may be as much in place here as elsewhere. About 
the year 1891, a class, of which Mr. Stephen Andress 
was a prominent member, was formed in that city. This 
class was subsequently scattered, and one of its number 
for some misdemeanor was sent to the state prison. 
Hence, in 1894, when Mr. John Wright, a member of 
our church, moved to that city and inquired whether 
thcro were any Methodists in the place, the reply was: 
"No; there were some, but I believe they have all 
been sent to the state prison." He, however, found 
a small company worshiping in a private house. Pre- 
cisely when the class Vas reorganized is not known; 
but it is known that Mr. Benjamin Betts, who died in 
1894 or 1895, was a member after its reorganization, as 
was also Mr. Caleb Curtis. Messrs. Andress, Betts and 
Curtiss were among the first Methodists in Troy, and 
were substantial supporters of the infant church. 
About the year 1897 to 1899, a small church was erected 
in State street, which accommodated all our people in 
that city for twenty years. T^oy lirst appears in the 
list of appointments in the minutes of 1>10, wlien Dr. 
Phcebus was appointed to that charge. In the following 
year it does not appear on the minutes, and the presump- 
tion is that it was again connected with an adjoining 
circuit. In 1813 it again appears, Laban Clark being 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 49 

appointed there that year. T. Spicer succeeded Mr. 
Clark in 1815. The charge then included Troy, Albia, 
West Troy, Lansingburgh and Brunswick, the entire 
membership of which amounted to one hundred and 
seven. 

In the winter of 1815 and '16, under the labors of 
Mr. Spicer, a far more extensive revival than anything 
they had previously known in that city, took place. 
Elijah Chichester, who had located, greatly assisted in 
this work. At that time Noah Levings, began to exer- 
cise his gifts in public. After w^orking at the anvil all 
day, be would throw off his apron and paper cap, -wash 
and change his dress, and walk with Mr. Spicer to 
Albia, where he exhorted at the close of the ser- 
mons. At the end of his term of service, Mr. Spicer 
had the pleasure of reporting two hundred and fifty 
members; more than double the number that were 
there at its commencement. He was succeeded in 1817 
by Rev. S. Luckey, under whose ministrations another 
outpouring of the Spirit brought about one hundred and 
fifty more into the church. Thus our cause began to 
gain strength in that cit}', and ever since its course has 
been onward. In 1827, when our membership there 
amounted to four hundred and thirty-seven, the old 
church gave place to the commodious house of worship 
now occupied in State street. In 1835 the North Sec- 
ond Street Church was erected, which has been pros- 
pered until it has become one of our strongest stations. 
Subsequently a small church was erected in South Troy, 
and in 1848 the one in Congress street was built. Our 
present membership in that city amounts to over one 
thousand, exclusive of West Troy, where we have two 
churches with a membership of three hundred and fifty. 
Rev. T. Spicer has expressed the full conviction that 
not less than five thousand sinners have been converted 



50 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

to God throuj^h the instrumentality of Methodism in 
tliat city. 

In those early days, to the history of which we now 
return, it was not uncommon for the preachers to be re- 
mov6d from one circuit to another every three or six 
months. Rev. E. Washburn spent a part of the year 
1801-2 on Brandon, and the remainder on Vergennes 
circuit. Our })reachers in those days were forced into 
constant conllict with tlie dogmas of John Calvin. E. 
Washburn says of his labors on Brandon circuit, " Hero 
too I was obliged to be a man of contention. If I re- 
presented Christ as having tasted death for every man, 
that was strenuously opposed by the doctrine of par- 
ticular atonement. If I called on sinners to repent and 
believe the gospel, I was told that a sinner could not 
repent till he was converted. If I preached the know- 
ledge of sins forgiven, that was wild and dangerous 
fanaticism. Indeed the whole budget of Calvinian 
election and reprobation, with all its concomitant train 
of errors, was ready to oppose every point of truth in 
the gospel system, of a free, a known and a full salva- 
tion." 

As a specimen of what our preachers in those days 
endured, 1 will quote again from Mr. Washburn's account 
of his labors on Brandon circuit; " I have had stones 
and snow-balls cast at me in volleys. I have had great 
dogs sent after mo, to frighten my horse, as I was 
peacefully passing through small villages. But I never 
was harmed by any of them. I have been 'saluted with 
the sound, * Glory, hosanna, amen, hallelujah!' mixed 
with oaths and profanity." Like their Master, these 
men of God " endured the cross, despising the shame," 
and many of them are now ** set down" with Him, " at 
the right hand of the throne of God." 

Speaking of his labors on Vergennes circuit, in 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 51 

1801-2, Mr. Washburn says : " In Middlebiiry, I found a 
small and persecuted class. Our preaching place was 
at the house of Lebbcus Harris, and our average con- 
gregation was from twcnty-fiye to thirty." He formed 
the first class at Charlotte; it consisted of Major Jon- 
athan Brackenridge, his wife, and five others. '* In 
Starksboro', " he says, " I found a good society. At 
Hinesburg there was also a good society. The house 
of Brother Beck, who was a leader and steward, was 
the principal home for the preachers. About three 
miles from this place was a wealthy Dutchman, by the 
name of Snyder, who had a large family, and his young- 
est child, an interesting little girl about four or five 
years old, sickened, and suddenly died. They called a 
Baptist preacher to attend the funeral, who preached a 
pointed Calvinistic sermon which did not much please 
the Dutchman, he being brought up to believe the doc- 
trine of Luther. But when the preacher turned his jf 
address to the afllicted parents, he told them there was 
at least nine chances for their child to be lost, to one 
for it to be saved. The father's heart could bear no 
more; he gave a heavy stamp with his foot, and said: 
* Hold your tongue ; I w411 have no such talk in my 
house; I am so well satisfied where my little babe has 
gone, that, by the grace of God, I intend to do just so 
as to go to it.' He then turned to brother Norton, and 
said, ' Neighbor Norton, won't you bring a Methodist 
preacher to see me?' Brother Norton said, * I will, if 
you request it?' 'When will you bring one?' said he. 
Brother N. said, ' I expect one at my house to-night; I 
think probable I can come here with him to-morrow 
morning,' ' Do,' said he. The child was buried with- 
out further ceremony. The next morning, brother Nor- 
ton and I went to see him. The whole family were 
collected together, and I conversed with each one se- 



52 TROY CONFERKN'CE MISCKLLANY. 

parately, gave a general exhortation, and prayed with 
them, and then left an appointment to preach there in 
two weeks, and went on my way rejoicing. When I 
came round again I found the man, and liis wife, and 
several of their children, earnestly seeking the salva- 
tion of their souls. I preached to them and a goodly 
number of their neighbors. The Lord was with us, 
and owned and blessed his word. The old gentleman, 
his wife, and some of their children, experienced reli- 
gion, and joined the Methodists; and when I left the 
circuit I left a flourishing class in that place, of which 
brother Snyder was the leader." 

The former part of the year 1801-2, Laban Clark 
labored successfully on Fletcher circuit, in Vermont. 
He says that in addition to filling the regular appoint- 
ments, " I visited and preached in several new places 
where the preachers had never been. Although the 
country was new, the roads bad or none at all, the ac- 
commodations poor, and sometimes the fare scanty, yet 
I enjoyed myself well and felt my heart united with the 
people. My only object was to do them good and I had 
the satisfaction of seeing numbers awakened and con- 
verted to God.'' At the second quarterly meeting he 
was removed to Brandon circuit. The last sermon he 
preached on Fletcher circuit was at St. Albans Point, 
where his previous ministration had been owned of God to 
the awakening of several souls. After preaching, he 
held a class meeting; ** a number stayed, and several 
found peace in believing. I formed them into a class, 
and we had a melting time. The next morning we all 
came together, and I took my departure from them with 
many tears." 

During the latter part of the year, while on Brandon 
circuit, he and his colleague, Mr. Draper, greatly en- 
larged their circuits by establishing appointments in 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 53 

Sudbury, Whiting, Slioreham, Orwell and Benson; so 
that their circuit embraced the whole country between 
Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains, and from Sa- 
lisbury to Danby. They made it a point to meet each 
other every two weeks at Rutland. In how many of 
these new appointments they succeeded in establishing 
societies does not appear. (Stevens' Mem. 2d s., p. 156.) 

From the Conference of 1802, William Anson was 
sent to plant Methodism in Grand Isle. God so blessed 
his labors that at the close of the first year he returned 
one hundred and two church members where not a sin- 
gle class had previously existed. See the sketch of W, 
Anson in another part of this volume. 

Among the early fruits of Methodism on those islands, 
was Asel Landon. He was licensed to preach in 1809, 
and after faithfully serving the church for twenty years 
in that relation, he enter'^d into rest. He is honorably 
represented in the person of his son. Rev. Seymour 
Landon, an influential member of the New York East 
Conference, who was born and reared on Grand Isle. 

In the sketch of Rev. W. Anson, in another part of 
this volume, it will be seen that the first preacher that 
reached that island, did so at the imminent risk of his 
life. Other preachers have been •' in perils of waters," 
in that region since that day. In 1832, Rev. John Fra- 
zer, now Dr. Frazer, having completed his labors there, 
was removing his goods in a small sail boat from that 
island, one man only being with him. Suddenly a violent 
thunder storm arose; they prepared for it as well as 
they could, by taking in sail and other precautions. 
The rain fell in torrents ; the storm approached its height. 
"It now blew a hurricane, danger became imminent, 
we expected to capsize every moment and were, as 
nearly as I can judge, about half a mile from the shore. 
It was evident that the boat could not live, as we took 
4 



54 TROY CONFEnKNCE MISCELLAXT. 

ill water at almost Lvtrv wave. Wc were Hearing the 
shore as fast as wc dared, and had recourse to bailing 
to keep our boat from sinking; but this was unavailing, 
the water poured in upon us amain, and the boat Jilled.** 
The waves swept over it, and just at that critical junc- 
ture, when hope had almost fled, the boat capsized, and 
they, with singular presence of mind, succeeded in getting 
upon it. There they sat, the waves dashing over them, 
and they exerting themselves to their utmost to main- 
tain their hold. His companion began to yield to de- 
spair. Mr. Frazer pointed him to the Christian's hope 
and he began to cry mightily to God for mercy on his 
poor soul. " I can not say," writes our itinerant, *' that 
prayer was the principal exercise of my soul; I felt more 
like confiding in the arm of the Omnipotent, and while 
wave after wave in quick succession burst over my head, 
the language of my heart was : * Blessed be the God 
and rock of my salvation;' indeed, at one time, these 
words almost involuntarily burst from my lips, and 
although a considerable part of my earthly substance 
was floating around me, I was unmoved. 0, * what 
shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits! Un- 
moved amid the roar of the tempest; unmoved while 
the vault of Heaven was rent by the tremendous 
bi'llowings of the deep-toned thunder, and the terrible 
sublimity of the scene was awfully heightened by the 
vivid flashes of lightning which glared on surrounding 
objects: unmoved, did I say? It should have been, 
unmoved by fear ; for I was moved, and the emotions 
of my heart were wonder, praise and gratitude, and 
solemn awe." 

Providen* i illy, the boat drifted ashore before they 
became so exhausted as to let go their hold. After 
having bee.i dashed with violence against the rocks, they 
succeeded in getting ashore, and with great difficulty 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 55 

and clanger climbed up the rugged steep to a place of 
safety; after which they knelt down and gave thanks to 
the Preserver of men. (Chn. Adv., vol. vii, p. 12.) 

Rev. If. B. Taylor, one of our faithful itinerants, 
while laboring upon those islands was subjected to a 
similar trial. Like the apostle of old, he was *' anight 
and a day in the deep." He was crossing to the Isle 
La Motte in December, 1847, with two other men, on a 
scow, loaded with lumber for a new church. The wind 
capsized the scow, and the falling snow prevented their 
being seen, while the roar of the waters hindered them 
from being heard. They secured a few pieces of their 
lumber on which they sat or lay, and held on to the edge 
of the boat, while the waves were breaking over them. 
Far away from the shore, a watery grave seemed inevit- 
able. " The capsizing took place about four o'clock in 
the afternoon, and the boat, by drifting, reached the 
shore about three o'clock the next morning. After being 
eleven hours in the water, they gained the land, in so 
chilled, frozen and exhausted a state, that they could 
not stand. By locking arms and bracing against each 
other, they managed to get to a house near by, and 
raised the inmates. Brother Taylor was at this time 
engaged in transporting lumber for a church that he was 
building. He had the privilege, too, of preaching faith 
to his two companions, who were irreligious, and who 
expected to perish." 

In June, 1803, the New York Conference held its 
session at Ashgrove. Nearly seventy preachers were 
present. The Conference Sabbath was a high day with 
the Methodists of that region. About two thousand 
persons crowded in and about the little church, and the 
power of God attended the ministrations of that occasion. 
One of the first circuits ever formed within our bounds 
bore the name of New City, the name by which Lan- 



56 TROV CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

singburgli wiis formerly designated; but it is not known 
to the writer j)reiistly when the first soeiety was formed 
in that village. Liibiin Clark and Martin Ruter preached 
there in 1803. Under Mr. Clark's first sermon, Mr. 
Chandler Lambert was awakened and converted; he 
afterward became a useful traveling preacher. His 
memoirs may be found in the Black Kiver Conference 
Memorial. In 1^10, the lirst Methodist church in Lan- 
singburgh was built, mostly through the instrumentality 
of Joel Ketchum and Elijah Chichester, both of whom 
had retired from the itinerancy. This was situated on 
the bank of the river, and occupied by the society for 
about twenty years. They then erected a church on 
Congress street, whicli they also occupied for about 
twenty years. In 1849, while the writer was stationed 
there, the present commodious and beautiful house of 
worship was erected, since which they have been visited 
with a glorious outpouring of the Spirit under the labors 
of Rev. II. W. Ransom, and our position as a church is 
now second to none in that place. 

In 1803, Rev. Mr. Draper is said to have preached 
the first Methodist sermon in "Whiting, Vt. Some time 
in 1818, one of our preachers, by the name of Jones, 
went from house to house in that town, telling the peo- 
ple that he would preach there on the following sabbath. 
His reception was any thing but llattering. One person, 
a member of another church, followed him around and 
told the people " there would be no preaching,*' *' the 
man was not going to preach." Subsequently, that man 
was converted to God and became a member of the 
church which he had jx'rsecutetl and despised. No 
society, however, was organized in that town until 1828, 
when, under the labors of Mr. G. Esty, a local preacher, 
several were converted, and a class of five members was 
formed by Rev. Joshua Poor. {Chn. Adv., vol. xxiv, p. 75.) 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 57 

In tracing the farther progress of the work, the details 
are too numerous for our narrow limits, and a few par- 
ticulars only can be given. The following extract from 
an article in the Christian Advocate of April 21st, 1847, 
gives a connected view of our history in Schenectady up 
to 1842, since which time no very special changes have 
taken place in the affairs of the church in that city : 

'• In the early part of the year 1807, fifteen or twenty 
persons were hopefully converted to God in this city, in 
social meetings held at the house of Richard Clute, in 
Green street; of whom there are now living but two, 
Richard Clute and Cornelius L. Barhydt. 

" About this time the first M. E. church in this city 
was organized by Rev. A. M'Kain, then preacher in 
charge on Albany circuit, New York Conference. 

" In the minutes of the next Conference, which was held 
May 2, 1807, the name of Rev. Samuel Howe appears 
as preacher in charge of Schenectady circuit, with which 
the society in the city was connected until 1816; when 
it became a separate station, numbering about fifty 
members, under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Laban 
Clark. 

*' The society, few in numbers and feeble in strength, 
struggled through various difficulties, holding their 
meetings first in private houses, and afterward in a 
school-house in Liberty street, until 1809; when, by the 
blessing of God, they succeeded in erecting a house for 
divine worship. 

" In this sanctuary, the little flock continued to assem- 
ble for twenty-six years, and here the doctrines of a free, 
present and full salvation, were proclaimed, and signal 
displays of the divine power exhibited in the conviction 
and conversion of sinners. During this period, the 
names of the Rev. Messrs. William Thatcher, S. Luckey, 
W. Phcebus, James M. Smith, D. Brayton, George Coles, 



68 TROV CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

B. Gootisrll. Coles Carpenter, S. Stebbins, and J. B. 
lIoughtalini(, appear among those wlio were appointed 
to the pastoral oversiglit of this department of Zion. 
The circumstanecs under which these brethren labored 
were frequently marked by great and painful discourage- 
ments. Metliodism, during a part of this time, was yet 
comparatively in its infancy. Its doctrines, usages, min- 
istry and membership, were held in small reputation, 
frequently misrepresented, and generally misunderstood. 
Yet this advanced guard of the Lord's host pressed 
nobly and perseveringly onward. Their prudence, in- 
telligent zeal and devotion to the cause of Christ, grad- 
ually and surely gained the confidence and respect of the 
community, and were owned by the conversion of many 
souls to God; so that in 1834, the number reported to 
conference in full membership with the church, was 
two hundred and thirty-five. 

*' In 1834, and during the administration of the Rev. 
J. B. Ilouirhtaling, a change of circumstances made 
it necessary to erect a more spacious and convenient 
sanctuary for the worship of God. Arrangements were 
accordingly made, and the foundation of a large and 
commodious brick church edifice was laid in Liberty 
street. The year following, the Rev. Truman Seymour 
was appointed to the charge, and by his hearty co- 
operation and cflicient aid, and the untiring zeal of the 
Hon. J. C. Burnham and Peter Ranker, Esq., the house 
was finished; and in the early part of the year 1836 it 
was dedicated to the worship of Almighty God by the 
Rev. John Kennedy. D. D. 

** The labors of brother Seymour were eminently useful 
in the regulation and arrangements of the internal afl'airs 
of the church, so that when at the following conference 
he was appointed to another charge, he left the station 
in a state of real and gratifying prosperity. 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 59 

*' The following year, the church was favored with the 
very able and eflicient ministry of the Rev. N. Levings, 
D. D. In the winter of that year the charge was blessed 
with a remarkable outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and 
many were added to its communion, who are still pillars 
in the house of God. Dr. Levings was succeeded by 
the Rev. E. Goss, A. M. Under his vigorous and effi- 
cient administration, the church was greatly edified. A 
most powerful revival of religion attended his labors; 
hundreds were added to the Lord, and each of the import- 
ant interests of the church was most nobly sustained." 

The year 1809-10 was one of gloi-ious prosperity in 
various parts of Ashgrove district, during which over 
six hundred were added to the church within its bounds. 
In 1810, Rev. T. Spicer traveled Brandon circuit; it 
was his first year in the itinerant work. That circuit 
then embraced thirty-one towns, had thirty regular ap- 
pointments, and it was sib out four hundred miles around 
it. Here, as every where within our bounds, Calvin- 
ism presented the most determined resistance to the 
cause of Methodism. An interesting account of Mr. 
Spicer's labors on that circuit may be found in his 
Autobiography, p. 17. In 18 11, we find the indefatigable 
Asbury passing through our bounds preaching at Ash- 
grove, Middlebury, Vergennes, Charlotte and Platts- 
burgh. At Middlebury he opened a subscription to 
build a church, expressing his full conviction that the 
Lord would visit the place. Some interesting incidents 
connected with what in 1818 and 1819 was called 
Schenectady circuit, may be found in Rev. G. Coles' 
First Seven Years in America. 

In the former chapter, some account of the early his- 
tory of Methodism in Albany is given. The erection of 
the church in Division street, in 1813, formed an im- 
portant era in the history of the cause iu that city» 



60 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

The ineinbcrsliip then amounted to one hundred and 
sixty-nine. From that period a favorable inQuence began 
to extend itself, and yet from time to time Methodism 
has there met with some serious reverses. Peter P. 
Sandford succeeded Mr. Merwin in 1814. Dr. Phcebus, 
Phinehas Rice and Tob as Spicer, were some of the 
men who administered the word and ordinances to that 
people from 1814 to 1825. Under the pastorship of the 
latter, a revival added about fifty to tlieir numbers, and 
a burthensome church debt was much reduced. At the 
close of Mr. Spicer's labors, the membership numbered 
two hundred and sixty-five. About the year 1826 or 
*27, the question of renting the seats was agitated, and 
for two or three years was a cause of unhappy conten- 
tions. When tlie renting of pews became the settled 
policy, those who preferred the free seat sj'stem, organ- 
ized another society. For a while, they met in a hall 
which tliey hired for that purpose, and subsequently 
purchased a large building on North Pearl street, that 
had previously been used as a circus, and fitted it up 
as a house of worship, under the name of Garrettson 
Station. This appointment first appears in the Min- 
utes of 1829, and Rev. J. J. Matthias was their first 
stationed preacher. In 1851, that building was demol- 
ished, and their present one erected in its place, the 
seats of which are rented. 

About the year 1830, some difiiculties arose in the 
Division Street church, then under the charge of Rev. 
Mr. Green, which resulted in the organization of a 
Protestant Methodist church in that city, which about 
fourteen years after ceased to exist. 

In May, 1834, a part of the members of Garrettson 
station were organized into a church, and took the 
name of Wesley Chapel, and commenced worship on 
the corner of Dallius and Bleeker streets. Subsequent- 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 61 

ly they erected a house of worship at a cost of about 
ten thousand dollars, in Herkimer, near Pearl street, 
which was dedicated in September, 1837. That building 
was destroyed by fire April 20th, 1839. The Camer- 
onian church in Westerlo street was then hired and 
occupied. The anti-slavery excitement which then di- 
vided the church prevented the erection of a new one. 
In 1839, a building, now used as a synagogue, was 
hired. In the spring of 1842, that was sold to the 
Jews, and the society being unable to rebuild, they 
disbanded, and went in classes to the two other church- 
es in the city. Soon after, they hired a place for a 
sabbath school in John street, and in July of the same 
year reorganized and built the present church in Ferry 
street. In this enterprise, Mr. James Davis was spe- 
cially active and influential. It was dedicated in De- 
cember, 1842, and in 1852, was enlarged and improved. 
After having passed through many difficulties, that 
charge has acquired stability and strength. 

In 1835, another church was organized, which occu- 
pied a building in State street west of the Capitol. 
God was with them, and prospered them. In 1842, 
they erected the Washington street church. It was 
greatly embarrassed with debt, so that it was some- 
times thought it must be sacrificed, until 1849, when 
Mr. Thomas Schuyler purchased the obligations and 
rescued it, since which it has been relieved from most 
of its indebtedness. 

In 1844, the church in Division street erected a new 
house of worship, fronting on Hudson and Plain streets. 
It is a noble edifice, the largest counected with the 
Troy Conference, and that charge is now known as the 
Hudson street church. 

The same year preaching was commenced on Arbor 
Hill, in the north-western part of the city. Soon a con- 



62 TROY CONFERKNCE MISCELLANY. 

vcnicnt building was erected, and a permanent society 
has been established. This is now our only free seat 
church in Albany. 

A few years ago, a "Wcslcyan Methodist church was 
organized in that city, which still exists. Recently a 
Methodist German Mission was commenced tlierc, and 
last year they succeeded in erecting a neat little church 
in the south part of the city. A colored Methodist 
church has for years existed in Albany. 

At present, tlie Bethel is supplied by Rev. A. A. 
Farr, a member of Troy Conference; so that there are 
now nine churches in Albany, in which Methodist 
Ministers officiate, five of which are regular stations 
connected with our Conference. In these last, tho 
Minutes of 1^52 report eleven hundred and sixty-eight 
members, and ninety-seven probationers. 

The work of God spread and prospered gloriously in 
1824, in Chatham, Canaan, Sandlakc and Cocymans. 
The following year several circuits on the Champlain 
district, of which Rev. B. Goodsell was then presiding 
elder, were visited in great mercy and power. In 1»28, 
I find notices of an extensive work on Pittsfield circuit 
by which over two hundred were added to our num- 
bers, under Rev. B. Sllleck. Rev. S. Martindale report- 
ed a good work in Troy the same year, and Rev. J. 
Poor had the pleasure of adding over one hundred con- 
verts to the church in Burlington, Vt, Of the many 
honored men who were instrumental in establishing 
Methodism within our bounds, our limits forbid our 
speaking of but a fvw. 

The dignified appearance, musical voice, and eloquent 
appeals of Rev. Samuel Merwin have*left their indelible 
impression upon the minds of multitudes within our 
bounds. He labored upon Albany circuit in 1810-11, 
Schenectady in 1811-12, Albany station in 1812-13, 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 63 

and again in the same city in 1820-21, and in Troy in 
1828-29. After about forty years of devoted and suc- 
cessful labors in the Christian ministry, he peacefully 
bid fiirevv^ell to earth on the 13th of January, 1839. 

Rev. Laban Clark's firsl^appointment was on Fletcher 
circuit, Vei-mont, in 1891. The circuit included the 
whole of what is now St. Albans district, and a part of 
Burlington and Plattsburgh districts, reaching also into 
Canada. He subsequently labored within our bounds 
at Plattsburgh, N, Y.; Adams, Mass.; Lebanon, Troy, 
Pittstown and Schenectadj^ N. Y. Indefatigable in la- 
bors, the patron of all the benevolent enterprises of the 
church, one of the founders of the Wesleyan University, 
having spent more than half a century in the ministry, 
he still lingers on earth. 

Rev. Samuel Draper did valiant service for God and 
Methodism from 1801 to 1824, when he died suddenly 
at his post. Fletcher, Brandon, Vergennes, Platts- 
burgh, Saratoga and Cambridge circuits were the scenes 
of his labors, when those circuits unitedly embraced 
most of our present territory. He was presiding elder 
of Champlain and Ashgrove districts from 1810 to 1818. 
He was laborious and useful, though perhaps not always 
as grave and serious as becomes the Chistrian minister. 

Rev. Seth Croivell deserves an honorable place among 
the heroes of our early history. He entered upon his 
labors in 1801; into rest, in 1826. He combined dis- 
tinguished argumentative powers with great hortatory 
ability. God was with him, and his appeals were some- 
times overwhelming. Amid great bodily infirmity and 
severe mental conflicts, he labored with uncommon zeal 
until utter postration laid him aside. He died honored 
and beloved. 

Rev. Samuel Cochrane endured " hardness as a good 
soldier," during thirty-eight years of effective service. 



Gl TROY CONFKRKNCK MISCELLANY. 

cxtciuHng from 1803 to 1811. Several years of his 
ministerial life were spent witliin the present bounds of 
Troy Conference. He died suddenly in 1845. 

Rev. Lewis Pease was reared and converted to God 
in our midst, in Canaan, N. Y. Though much of the 
labor of this lovely man was performed out of our 
limits, yet he began and terminated his work among us. 
Brandon was his first circuit, and North Second street, 
Troy, was the scene of his last successful ministra- 
tions. 

A host of other worthy names are associated with 
our early history, most of whom "rest from their la- 
bors." A few linger among us, the remnant and repre- 
sentatives of a former generation. 



CHAPTER III. 

PR00RKS9 AND PKESKNT STATE OF MKTUOniSM IN THE (X>NPERENCE. 

Reference has already been made to the organization 
of the Troy Annual Conference in 1832, and its bound- 
aries have been given. To give even an outline of the 
spread of the work of God in the various parts of our 
field since that period would require much more room 
than comports with the plan of this work. The earhj 
history of Methodism in this region is more especially 
the object of this sketch. The introduction of Method- 
ism into various localities possesses a peculiar interest 
and the incidents connected with it are in more danger 
of being lost than those of a later date; and as the 
actors in the more recent scenes are yet living, and 
many of them comparatively young men, we can not 
speak of them at present with that freedom which will 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 65 

characterize the future historian. In a few particulars, 
the history subsequent to 1832 has been anticipated in 
the last chapter, and something may be learned of our 
progress from the tables in the appendix. An interest- 
ing series of articles, on the Middlebury District, may 
be found in the eighth volumeof the Christian Advocate. 
The history of Warren Circuit is given in the same pa- 
per (vol. 20, p. 13), and an accountof Albany District, 
in vol. 20, p. 149. 

It will be seen, from the tables above referred to, that 
of the ninety-one who were members of the conference, 
when it was organized in 1832, ticenty-three have been 
transferred to other conferences, fourteen have located, 
two have withdrawn from the church, eleven have died, 
and forty-one are now members. Of these forty-one, 
four are supernumerary, thirteen are superannuated, 
and tioenty-fonr are in the effective ranks. The whole 
number that have been connected with the conference 
up to the present time (1853), is three hundred and 
seventy-eight, of whom, forty-seven have been transferred 
to other conferences, sixty-six have located, ten have 
withdrawn, ^re have been expelled or deprived of their 
ministerial standing, tioenty-eight have died, and tico 
hundred and twenty-tioo are now members of the confer- 
ence. Of these last, nine are superannuated, thirty-one 
are supernumerary, and one hundred and eighty-two 
are effective. 

The membership, including probationers, amounted in 
1832 to 18,492; now it is 26,295. The first year of 
our existence as a conference, the missionary collections 
amounted to $1,484*41. The last year they were $8, 214-61. 
The whole amount raised for missions, since 1832, 
is $84,027'57. Our numerical increase was \erj much 
greater in 1843, when the Mlllerite excitement was at its 
crisis, than at any other time, amounting to over seven 
5 



66 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

thousand. The reaction in the few years immediately 
succeeding was so great that our membership fell more 
than one thousand below what it had been previously to 
the ingathering of 1842-3. It was several years before 
we regained the position occupied previously to the 
spread of this delusion. Judging from our statistics and 
other facts, we may conclude that without a doubt, the 
Second Advent delusion has proved inconceivably the great- 
est calamity that has befallen us since our organization 
as a conference. One of our churches, which more than 
doubled its membership at tliat time, subsequently sunk 
to less than half the number it had before the excitement 
began; and one who afterward held the pastoral over- 
sight of that church, assured the writer that, in his 
judgment, another such revival icould annihilate it. In 
another instance, a church that in June, 1842, numbered 
between one hundred and eighty and one hundred and 
ninety members, in June, 1843, reported* over four 
hundred; andjtwo years after had less than one hundred 
and sixty. Other causes might have operated to some 
extent, but the results of tliat delusion should not be 
forgotten for a century to come. 

The region embraced in the Troy Conference has given 
to the church some of her most honored and distinguished 
sons. Levings was converted and licensed in our midst, 
and labored among us most of his days. Olin was born 
and graduated within our borders. Hcdding, the apos- 
t9lic Hedding, was identified with us as far as such a 
man could be with any one locality. Here he sought 
and found the grace of life; here he united with the 
church; here he commenced his itinerancy, and here he 
resided during several years of his episcopacy. The 
whole church honored him as a general superintendent; 
the Troy Conference revered him as a Father. 

Very great improvement has been made within a few 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 67 

years in our houses of worship, in reference to their 
size, style, and adaptation to all our various means of 
grace. Old churches have been enlarged and remodeled, 
and many new ones erected. At the same time we are 
far less incumbered with church debts than we were a 
few years ago. Though many of our churches are more 
or less in debt, few, if any, are seriously embarrassed 
thereby. Formerly, the seats in nearly all our churches 
were free; now, in many of the old and in most of the 
now ones, they are rented. Whether this change is an 
improvement or otherwise, the writer will not attempt 
to decide ; doubtless each system has its advantages and 
disadvantages. Steeples and bells are becoming quite 
common in our villages; in the cities there are none, 
except in Schenectady. A few organs have found their 
way into our churches, as have various other musical 
instruments, though in most of them the music is en- 
tirely vocal, and in too many cases almost exclusively 
confined to the choir. Many of our parsonages are 
owned by the societies, though a majority of them are 
rented. Most of them are provided with the heavier 
articles of furniture. Our large old circuits are cut up 
into small fields of labor, so that in a vast majority of 
cases there is but one preacher upon a charge. One of 
the tables in the appendix shows our progress in the 
cause of missions. The new tract enterprise was en- 
tered upon with vigor the present year. 

Whether, on the whole, we are increasing in spiritual- 
ity and moral power or not, is a grave question that 
would be variously answered by diff*erent persons. Not- 
withstanding there is very much to deplore in our midst, 
the writer confidently believes the afiirmative to be the 
true answer to this question. One of the most serious 
obstacles to our progress is found in the fact that, we 
are deprived of the services of a large number of our 



68 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELI.ANy. 

preachers at that period of life when, by their experience 
and wisdom, they might be the most elTective. Not a 
few fail in health, while many locate and engage in 
secular callings. Various causes have contributed to 
this loss of experienced men from our ranks, and the 
subject is one worthy of thorough investigation and 
profound thought. The average receipts of the preach- 
ers, exclusive of house rent, and the expenses of travel- 
ing to and from conference, and moving their families, 
in 1842, amounted to !!5288'86. In 1853, the average 
was $343"()0. In addition to this, there are some per- 
quisities, which, however, are probably more than bal- 
anced by extra expenses to which other families are not 
subjected. 

The conference is at present less remarkable for its 
few distinguished men, than for its large number of 
active, energetic, devoted ministers of Jesus Christ. The 
oldest itinerant in the conference is Elijah Chichester. 
He entered the traveling connection in 1799, located in 
1807, and re-entered it in 1852. Andrew McKean and 
Samuel Howe commenced their labors in 1802. They 
have long been superannuated. Father McKean was labo- 
rious in his day; a sound theologian, and good counsellor 
and disciplinarian; kind, exemplary and upright, he has 
maintained an unblemished character during his long 
lilc. He slill resides in Saratoga county, and is wor- 
thily represented in the person of his son, Samuel Mc- 
Kean, who entered the conference last year. 

Father Howe, after having maintained an untarnished 
reputation through a long series of years, has of late 
been very evidently ripening for heaven. He will soon 
be with Asbury and lltdding, and tlu- falhtrs tliat liavc 
crossed the ilood. 

Next in age is Henry Stead, an Englishman by birth, 
who entered the itinerant field in 1804. He has bee 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 69 

an animated and useful preacher, and an excellent pre- 
siding elder. Kind, frank and humorous, he nevertheless 
coidd reprove in a way not soon to be forgotten. 
Throughout his life he has been a man of sterling in- 
tegrity, a warm-hearted Christian, and a decided Me- 
thodist. He lingers at his residence in Galesville, 
Washington county, N. Y., in great feebleness of body 
and mind. 

Jacob Beeman entered the lists in 1808, and is said to 
have been laborious and useful. He never wearied in 
preaching, especially against Calvinism. 

The noble spirited, shrewd, energetic Gridley, began 
his ministerial career in 1808. A good preacher and a 
powerful exhorter, his sword has proved too sharp for 
his scabbard; he has too much soul for his body, and 
feeble health has been the consequence. The name of 
Cyprian H. Gridley appears on the supernumerary list 
in 1841 ; subsequently we find him in the effective ranks, 
but in 1850, he again took his former relation. He 
still lives at Monkton, Vt., where he is greatly beloved. 

Of Tobias Spicer, who stands next in seniority, it is 
needless to speak; he is " known and readofsiW men," 
who have any acquaintance with Methodism. Of integ- 
rity and industry he is a notable example. 

Next in ministerial age is a name that stands associat- 
ed with real, modest worth. Josiah F. Chamberlain 
entered the itinerancy in 1812, in which he continues 
to this day. He took a supernumerary relation in 1851. 

Next is Sherman Minor, whose talents, uprightness, 
amiability and conscientious piety, have given him an 
enviable place in the regards of his brethren. 

Timothy Benedict is the oldest effective man in the 
conference, having joined the New York Conference in 
1817. For this honor he is doubtless indebted in no 
small degree to that pleasant equanimity, which so 



70 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

strongly chararterizcs him. ** Blessed are the meek, 
for they shall inherit the earth." 

James Quinlan, who commenced his labors one year 
later than Mr. Benedict, has held an effective relation 
ever since; whereas, Mr. Benedict held for some years 
a supernumerary relation. Mr. Quinlan has, therefore, 
performed the pastoral duties for the longest unbroken 
series of years of any man among us. 

Many others, who began their self denying work at 
a later period, have done nobly; but I am reminded by 
a judicious friend that I am engaged in a delicate task, 
and forbear. At a future time, some more able pen 
will make the grateful record of their toils, sacrifices 
and success. 



PART SECOND. 



REMINISCENCES OF DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE 
TROY COx\FERENCE. 



" The memory of the just is blessed." — Solomon. 



4 



EEY. NOAII LEYIKGS, D. D. 



BY REV. D. "W. CLARK, D. D, 

It is the object of this article to give a brief sketch 
of the life and character of an eminent servant of God, 
who, during more than thirty years' service in the min- 
istry, filled with honor and success the various stations 
and offices to which he was called; every where win- 
ning the affections of the people, and at all times enjoying 
the confidence and esteem of his brethren, till he was 
suddenly summoned from his work to his reward. 

Noah Levings was born in Cheshire county. New 
Hampshire, on the 29th of Sept., 1796. j His parents 
being in humble circumstances, he was sent from home 
to earn a livelihood when about eight or nine years of 
age. From that time he shared but few of the joys or 
advantages of the parental home. But, even among 
comparative strangers, the amiableness of his character 
and the faithfulness of his service everywhere secured 
for him friends. His early advantages for mental im- 
prqvement were very limited; a source of much regret 

* See the Methodist Quarterly Review ior October, 1849. Al- 
though Dr. Levings was not a member of the Troy Conference at 
the time of his death, yet as he was converted and spent most of his 
days among us, it is thought best that this sketch should be inserted. 

8. P. 

t His great-grand- father emigrated from Scotland, some twenty or 
thirty years before the Revolution, and settled in what is now called 
Cheshire county, N. H. His grand-fat;. er's name was Abel Levings. 
His father, whose Christian name was Noah, entered the army of the 
Revolution at the age of sixteen, about the year 1779. His mater- 
nal ancestry were of English descent, his mother's maiden name 
being Submit Temple. s. p. 



74 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

to liiin in after litu. In his case, it was a matter of 
little consequence that the public schools were poorly 
supported and poorly conducted; that text-books were 
defective and teachers incompetent. To him, thirsting 
for knowledge, yet from very chiUlhood compelled to 
toil for his daily bread, the f^ow advantages they did af- 
ford would have been regarded as a boon above all 
price. 

His early religious impressions were deep and lasting. 
But experimental religion was little known at that period 
within the circle of his acquaintance. High Calvinism 
had begotten its opposite in error, Universalisni, and 
the two opinions were in conflict for the mastery. It 
could not be doubtfid (apart from divine interposition), 
iu an age when the tone of piety and of morals was 
emphatically low, which would have the vantage-ground 
in tlie contest. The one required morality; nay, piety, 
after its kind; the other dispensed with both, while at 
the same time its "policies of insurance " were issued 
on the largest scale. In such a contest, carried on in 
such an age, the chances were on the side of the scheme 
which promised most and required least. Nor have we 
any doubt that Univcrsalism would long since have ob- 
tained the mastery in New England, had not the fer- 
menting mass been impregnated with the leaven of a 
purer faith and a richer experience. Divine providence 
raised up a people to proclaim a free, a present, and a 
full salvation; this, by the new elements of Christian 
power it evoked, has proved a check and an antidote to 
the system of religious licentiousness which was sweep- 
ing over the land like a Hood. 

At the age of sixteen, the subject of our memoir was 
apprenticed to a blacksmith in Troy, his parents having 
previously removed to that place. AVhen he entered 
upon his new situation, he formed the resolution to be 



NOAH LEVINGS. 75 

faithful to his master, and regard his interests as his 
own. His morals were placed in great peril. His mas- 
ter was not religions, and did not pretend to control 
him upon the sabbath; and he was led into the com- 
pany of sabbath-breakers, and with them spent much 
holy time in roaming over the fields and through the 
woods adjacent to the city. But his natural good 
sense, and the uncorrupted moral principles inculcated 
in early life, soon came to his relief. His parents, 
though not professedly pious, had trained their children 
to a strict observance of the Christian sabbath, and 
now the moral influence of that early training revived 
and wrought his deliverance, as it has that of thousands 
of j^oung men similarly exposed. 

Breaking away from these associations, he determined 
to become a regular attendant upon the worship of God 
in some one of the churches. All churches were alike 
to him, for he had not become familiar with the creeds 
of any, nor, indeed, scarcely with the peculiarities in 
their forms of worship. He therefore determined upon 
a circuit of visitation to the several churches in the 
city ; and, in carrying out this design, he first visited the 
Presbyterian church, then under the pastoral charge of 
Rev. Jonas Coe, D. D.; who, he says, "was a good man 
and an excellent pastor." He next attended the Bap- 
tist church, where " good old Mr. Wayland (the father 
of President Wayland) was the minister." Though 
favorably impressed with the piety and abilities of both 
of these servants of God, he could not feel at home in 
their congregations. His third visit was made to the 
Protestant Episcopal church, but there he was wearied 
with ceremonies too numerous and complicated to be 
either interesting or edifying. He next attended the 
meeting of the Friends; but, here, instead of long 
prayers and tedious ceremonies, he heard nothing at all; 



76 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

nor was he lotli to leave when the hour was up and 
the sign for closing given. 

His last visit of inquiry was at the Methodist Epis- 
copal church. He found a small house, occupied by a 
simple, plain, and solemn people. Their worship, 
though not imposing in its forms, was hearty and sin- 
cere. It not a little surprised him to witness, for the 
first time in his life, a congregation kneeling down in 
time of prayer. The conviction was wrought in his 
mind that this people were the people of God. Under 
the ministry of the Word, feelings were awakened which 
he had known nowhere else; and under the powerful 
reasonings and cogent appeals of the Rev. P. P. Sand- 
ford, the stationed minister, he was often made to feel 
that God truly was in that place. But it was more par- 
ticularly under the preaching of the Rev. Laban Clark, 
who succeeded Mr. Sandford, that he was led to realize 
fully his lost condition, and to feel the necessity of 
seeking salvation by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 
On one occasion he left the church so overwhelmed 
with the consciousness of his guilt and wretchedness, 
that he almost bordered upon despair. The struggles 
of his soul were deep and powerful; and in the privacy 
of his closet, he wrestled and agonized before God. 
This was long before he had broken the secret of his 
heart even to his most intimate friends. He at length 
unburdened his mind to a pious young man of his ac- 
quaintance. By this young man he was taken to the 
prayer-meeting, then held at the house of Dr. Laudon, 
a man of God now departed to his rest, but whose 
memory is like "ointment poured forth." Here the 
young inquirer became more perfectly instructed in the 
way of salvation by faith, and was also a subject of 
special and earnest prayer. 

He sought God sincerely and unreservedly, ho praved 



NOAH LEVINGS. 77 

earnestly and with many tears. There was ncktie that 
he would not sunder, and no sacrifice that he would 
not make, if necessary, to secure the favor of his offended 
Lord. Yet his conversion was less sudden, and less 
strongly marked in its character, than that of many 
others. He was rather " drawn with the cords of a 
man and with the bands of love," than driven by the 
thunders of the law ; though each had their appropriate 
influence in leading him to the Savior. Nor was the 
evidence of his change either sudden or clear. Upon 
this point he remained for a long time in a state of most 
distressing uncertainty^ From the consciousness of 
guilt he had been delivered; but the witness of his 
adoption was necessary to complete his joy. 

It was not till the 5th of June, 1815, that he was 
enabled to rejoice in this long-sought blessing. On that 
day — a day ever memorable in his history — as he was 
returning from his private devotions, where he had been 
wrestling with God for the witness of the Spirit, light 
broke in upon his soul, and he could exclaim, " Abba, 
Father," with an unwavering tongue. The power of 
the tempter was broken; his doubts were all gone. A 
divine assurance — the gift of the Holy Spirit — reigned 
in his soul, and filled him with unspeakable joy. His 
swelling heart, overflowing with emotion, gave vent to 
its transports, while he cried aloud: 

*' My God is reconciled, 

His pard'ning voice I hear; 
He owns me for his child, 

I can no longer fear ; 
With confidence T now draw nigh 
And Father, Abba, Father, cry." 

But before obtaining this full assurance, he had pub- 
licly dedicated himself to Christ, by uniting with his 

church, and boldly advocating his cause. He joined the 
6 



78 TROY CONFERKNCE MISCELLANY. 

Methodist society as a probationer in 1813. The cir- 
cumstances arc thus related by the venerable minister 
of God who seems to have been the principal instrument 
of his conversion: One day an apprentice-boy, in his 
blacksmith's garb, direct from his labor, called upon 
him, and made application to be received into the 
society. He appeared to be about sixteen years of fige; 
was small in stature, bashful in his address, and the 
circumstances of his introduction were peculiar and 
somewhat disadvantageous. Yet there was something 
80 unassuming and so winning in his manner, so sin- 
cere and so intelligent in his whole appearance and 
conversation, that a very favorable impression was 
made upon the mind of the preacher, and he admitted 
him as a probationer: at the same time giving him 
encouragement and counsel. On the following Wednes- 
day night, a.t their public prayer-meeting, when the 
leading members had prayed, and it was nearly time to 
dismiss the congregation, at the close of one of the 
prayers, a youthful voice, whose feminine tones were 
scarcely sufficient to till the church, was heard some 
two-thirds down the aisle, leading in prayer. The 
prayer was feeling and appropriate, but short — so short 
as to be at the longest, comprised within a minute. As 
the preacher passed down the aisle, his blacksmith boy 
stood at the end of the seat, waiting to grasp his hand 
with Christian affection. On the next Wednesday eve- 
ning, the silvery tones of the same youthful voice were 
again heard, near the close of the meeting, leading in 






more compass of thought, and more self-possession; and 
yet his prayer was not more than a minute and a half. 
At the close of the meeting, as the official brethren 
gathered around the preacher, one inquired who that 
boy was; another said his forwardness must be checked; 



NOAH LEVINGS. 7d 

and a third, that he must be stopped altogther. The 
preacher simply replied: " No\^^, brethren, let that boy 
alone — there is something in him more than you are 
aware of;" and from that time no one questioned the 
right of the young blacksmith boy to officiate in the 
public prayer meetings. 

Such were the public begimiings of one who in after 
years became eminent as a minister of the gospel, dis- 
tinguished alike for the ability and the success with 
which he preached " Christ crucified." Even the min- 
ister of God, who had cherished him as a lovely and pro- 
mising youth, little realized the chain of causes he was 
setting in motion, and the results that would grow out 
of them. He had gathered a chance jewel from among 
the cinders of the blacksmith's shop; but little did he 
comprehend the richness of its value, or the transcend- 
ent lustre its polished surface would assume. So often 
does God make " the weak things " of earth praise him, 
and " the day of small things " to become glorious before 
him. 

It is remarkable that the two eminent servants of 
God, who were mainly instrumental in his conversion, 
are still in the effective ranks, enjoying a green old age, 
cheered, loved and honored by their brethren who have 
grown up around them. The next preacher stationed 
in Troy was the Rev. Tobias Spicer. To the instructions 
of this eminentl}' sound and judicious minister, as well as 
to those of the Rev. Messrs. Clark and Chichester, the 
young disciple was much indebted in his early Christian 
history. He says (in his journal) that they seemed to 
labor less to excite a momentary feeling, than to pro- 
duce a solid and permanent religious character; one 
that would be most likely to withstand the shocks of 
temptation, and to accumulate strength through every 
period of its future experience. Nor did he cease to 



80 TROY CONFERENXE MISCELLANY. 

acknowledge liis obligations to these men of God tillhis 
dying day. Well had it been for thousands of sincere 
and susceptible young men, could they have been favored 
witli etiually competent and judicious advisers. While 
the youthful churactcr is in this transition state, the 
inlliiences brought to bear upon it make a deep and 
generally inelTaceable impression; and, for weal or wo, 
will they continue to bring forth life-long results. The 
proper training of young converts, and especially of 
young men in the Christian church, is a work of as high 
moment in the magnitude of its results as that of the 
mere instrumentality of their conversion. For the want 
of sound Christian nurture, thousands cease to be of any 
account in the church, just at a point when their use- 
fulness should be taking direction and acquiring char- 
acter. 

During the pastoral labors of Mr. Spicer in Troy, 
there was a very extensive work of God in the church; 
80 extensive that the membership were increased from 
a hundred and seven to two hundred and fifty during 
the two years. The church edifice was small, plain, 
and unimposing; the membership were few in number, 
and poor in worldly means — not many rich, not many 
great, not many noble were found among them. But 
they were devoted to God, and loved one another; and 
God put honor upon them, making them to abound in 
fruitfulness and joy. This revival, in an especial man- 
ner, awakened the zeal and called out the talents of 
young Levings. He had been converted at a time when 
no special revival was in progress; and the awakening 
and conversion of such multitudes seemed to fill him 
with astonishment and wonder, while at the same time 
it fired his own heart anew. He had already become 
an efTuient teacher in the first sabbath-school established 
in Troy, and then sustained by the dilferent dcnomina- 



NOAH LEVINGS. 81 

tions of evangelical Christians. While yet in his minor- 
ity he was appointed a class-leader; and when, at the 
conference of 1817, the Rev. S. Luckcy succeeded Mr. 
Spicer in charge of the station, he gave him license to 
exhort. On the 20th day of December following, being 
then a few months over twenty-one, he was duly li- 
censed as a local preacher by the quarterly conference 
of the station. 

Up to this time he appears to have had no distinct 
idea of entering the ministry. He had, indeed, an ardent 
desire to do all he could for the glory of God and for 
the salvation of men; but, so high appeared to him to 
be the qualifications necessary for a Christian minister, 
and so small and insignificant did his own appear to 
himself, that entering the sacred office seemed entirely 
out of the question. His mind had been at ease under 
this view of the subject; but now it came up before 
him in a new and stronger light. He was out of his 
apprenticeship; he was also of age; the responsibility 
of determining his future course now devolved upon 
himself. He wished to do right; he had an ardent 
desire to do good ; he was wedded in his affections to 
the church of God; he groaned in spirt for the salvation 
of a dying world. And yet the magnitude of the work, 
the fearful and far-reaching nature of its responsibilities, 
appalled him. After many struggles of mind, he was 
at length led to the determination to follow the convic- 
tions of duty and the openings of Providence. Accord- 
ingly on the 7th of March, 1818, his license to preach 
was renewed, and he was recommended to the New 
York Annual Conference. The session of the confer- 
ence was held in May following, in the city of New York. 
He was here received on trial and appointed to the 
Leyden circuit, having the Rev. Ibri Cannon for his 
senior preacher and superintendent. 



82 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

If it had cost him a stnipglo to decide upon entering 
the ministry, he was now subject to a trial of a different 
character, but scarcely less painful to youthful sensibil- 
ities. He had been appointed to a distant circuit, and 
must now bid adieu to the home and the clierished 
friends of his youth. And then the prospect before him 
was by no means congenial to the feelings of a young 
man of a feeble constitution and a timid nature. An 
extensive circuit, embracing the roughest portions of 
Massachusetts, and spreading out over the hills of Ver- 
mont — giving promise of long rides through cold and 
mountainous regions and over bad roads, and also of 
much labor and but little worldly reward — was a pros- 
pect that might have disheartened a mind of less nerve 
or a soul of weaker faith. But he had put his hand to 
the gospel plough; and he could say, '*None of these 
things move me." He left home for his appointment 
the day after he received it. After a ride of fifty miles 
on horseback, over roads rendered diflicult by the thaw- 
ing and heaving of the frost, having crossed the Green 
Mountains and descended into the valley of the Deerfield 
river, in a spot encircled by mountains covered with 
tluir ancient forests, he found himself upon the borders 
of his circuit. Leyden circuit, in lf<18, included all 
that tract of country from the Green Mountains on the 
west, to the Connecticut river on the east, embracing 
portions of the counties of Bennington and Windham, 
in Vermont, and of Franklin and Berkshire, in Massa- 
chusetts. Among the towns and villages in which he 
and his colleague preached, were Readsboro', Whitting- 
ham, Wihnington, Halifax, Guilford, Vernon, Brattle- 
boro', Marlboro', ami Duminerstnn, in Vermont; and 
Leyden, Bernardston, Northlield, Gill. Shelburne, Cole- 
rain, Charlemont, Rowe, Monroe, and Florida, in 
Massachusetts. Dummerston on the northern, and 
Shelburne on the southern, extremity of the circuit wero 



NOAH LEVINGS. 83 

some fifty miles apart. Northfield, the eastern appoint- 
ment, was on the east side of the Connecticut river; 
and Florida, the western limit, was hid among the Green 
Mountains, near the western border of the state. One 
round of the circuit required a ride of not far from two 
hundred and fifty miles. To traverse this region at all 
seasons of the year, and in all kinds of weather, was no 
light undertaking. But to preach and lead class three 
times upon the Sabbath, frequently riding from five to 
ten miles between the afternoon and evening appoint- 
ments, and then, after long rides during the day, to 
preach several evenings in each week, was a labor that 
required a robust constitution and a determined spirit. 
What, but the lo.ve of souls, could have constrained 
these men of God to such sacrifices and such labors. 

The modification of the circuit system has been a 
natural and necessary result of the growth and increase 
of Methodism. By this modification, the labors of the 
preachers, so far as it regards long rides and frequent 
exposures, have been much abridged; without, however, 
abridging in the least their opportunities of laboring to 
build up the kingdom of Christ. Restricted as may 
now seem many of our little stations, or *' patches," 
as they have been sometimes called by way of derision, 
when compared with the old circuits, we doubt not but 
that the most laborious servant of God might find 
sufficient to do in them to employ his whole time and 
consume his whole energy. The time necessarily spent 
formerly in accomplishing the long rides of the circuit, 
now rigidly devoted to earnest, faithful pastoral visita- 
tion, would not only furnish bodily exercise, but also 
tell in its influence upon the spirituality and usefulness 
of the minister. Nor should it be forgotten that the 
present arrangement of our stations, as well as the in- 
creasing intelligence of our people, requires an amount 



84 TROY CONFKRKN'CK MISCELLANY. 

of exhausting intelk'ctual labor utterly impracticablo 
under a rt'gime like the ohl eireuit system. Indeed, 
such a system, admirably adapted as it is to a country 
sparsely settled, and to the culture of weak societies 
widely scattered, becomes impracticable in a densely 
populated religious communion. It is one of the glo- 
ries of Methodism that in all its economy, merely pru- 
dential, it possesses a llexibility that will ever adapt it 
to its changing circumstances, and to the wants of its 
growing communion. If, however, any one should be 
unable to satisfy his longings for amplitude of space 
wherein to exercise his powers, we advise him to emi- 
grate to some country where a sparser population is to 
be found: to decamp forthwith for the prairies of the 
West, where his powers may have full scope, while he 
skirts along the vast range of the western borders of 
civilization. The moon-struck wight who now sighs 
for the g0f)d old days of long circuit riding, may be 
placed in the same category with those censors, who, 
making war upon the fashions of this degenerate age, 
would have us go back to tlie buckskin breeches and 
coon-skin caps worn by our ancestors, when forests 
were to be leveled and fields cleared for the habitations 
of men. 

Upon the Lcyden circuit the preacher was well re- 
ceived: his piet}' and his sincerity were so strongly 
marked that they won the entire confidence of the peo- 
ple. There was also a timidity in his manner, and an 
exquisite sensibility in his character, which took strong 
hold upon their sympathies. "When standing in the j)ul- 
pit.he was often unable to look his congregation in the 
face, so great was liis timidity; but the earnestness of 
his zoal and the deep emotions of his soul, often ex- 
pressed by the tears that flowed plentifully down over 
his face, found a response in the hearts of his congrrgn- 



NOAH LEVINGS. 



86 



tion. The growth of his personal piety and the culti- 
vation of his mind were objects of deep interest to 
him. To promote the former, he watched, prayed, 
fasted and meditated; he studied with devout attention 
the holy scriptures, and read with deep interest the 
lives of holy and devoted servants of God, that he 
might understand their character, imitate their example, 
and be imbued with their spirit. Of his desire to im- 
prove his mind, he gave evidence by his devotion to 
study whenever he arrived at one of those delightful 
homes for the itinerant scattered here and there over 
the circuit, and where he rested a day or two to recruit 
his exhausted powers for new fatigues. Solid attain- 
ments in both piety and learning, he felt were indispen- 
sable to him as a Christian minister. Nq amount of 
knowledge or sprightliness of talent, would, he knew, 
answer as a substitute for sound, genuine piety. Learn- 
ing, unsanctified by religion, unwarmed by love, would 
be, like the mountain icebergs, splendid and imposing in 
appearance, but chilling and freezing in influence. But, 
on the other hand, zeal, and even a well-intentioned 
piety, would not answer as a substitute for a sound 
knowledge of divine things. 

It was under the influence of such convictions as 
these, that he was led to apply himself diligently to the 
cultivation of both heart and intellect. And, no doubt, 
here, among the hills and mountains of Leyden, while 
preaching to small unlettered congregations, gathered 
for the most part in private rooms and school-houses, 
it was that he laid the foundation of that character 
which afterwards bore him up through a long and suc- 
cessful ministry, in many of the most responsible and 
important appointments within the wide range of the 
New York Conference. Many young men have set out 
with as good promise and as high hopes as the subject 



86 TBOY CONFERKNCE MISCELLANY, 

of our memoir; but, imagining themselves straitened 
and cramped in tlieir genius by small congregations and 
a rude field of labor, have flattered themselves that they 
would put forth their energies when assigned to more 
responsible and prominent posts. Thus self-deceived, 
and lured into a species of mental dissipation, before 
they were aware of it, their habits have become formed 
and their mental character fixed; and thenceforward, 
though the goal was often seen in the distance, and a 
spark of momentary ambition awakened, it soon sub- 
sided, and their lives flowed on in one sluggish and un- 
varying course. One of our most eminent divines and 
eloquent preachers once said to me, that many of his 
most finished and effective discourses were elaborated 
while traveling among the hills of upper Pennsylvania, 
and were first preached to congregations of ten or a 
dozen Germans gathered into log school-houses. Those 
same discourses have since been listened to with ad- 
miration by immense audiences in several of our large 
cities. 

The spring at length came, and the session of con- 
ference was drawing near. The young itinerant found 
it hard to part with the people of his charge. Tliey 
bad greeted him in their dwellings, and stayed up his 
hands in their congregations. When dispirited and 
care-worn they had cheered and comforted him; in sick- 
ness they had watched over him and hailed with joy 
his returning health; and together had they shared 
the common sympathies and joys of the people of God. 
He had suffered in his long rides and fatiguing labors; 
he had been drenched by the fulling rain; he had been 
chilled by the piercing cold as he had traversed the 
bleak hills of his circuit ; by night as well as by day 
had he been in peril, as he threaded his path through 
miry and toilsome ways. Kut the very scenes of his 



1 



I 



NOAH LEVINGS. 87 

toils and his trials had become endeared to him by 
the honor God had placed upon him, and the favor he 
had given him in the eyes of the people. His last round 
upon his circuit was, no less to the people than to him- 
self, an affecting, weeping time. 

On the 29th of April, he recrossed the Green Mount- 
ains; and on the 1st of May reached the city of Troy, 
which was to be the seat of the conference that year. 
His welcome by his brethren was such as to assure him 
that he had not lost his place in their affections. The 
next day, being Sunday, he preached to a crowded house, 
in demonstration of the Spirit and with power. The 
conference adjourned on the I4th, and he received his 
appointment as junior preacher on Pownal circuit. It 
was but sixteen miles distant; and the evening of 
the same day of his appointment found him within the 
bounds of his charge. This was to him a delightful 
year, spent among a kind and loving people. He was 
still ardent in the prosecution of his studies and earnest 
in the cultivation of his piety. During this year he 
had deep and powerful convictions upon the subject of 
entire sanctification; and frequent and protracted were 
his struggles for the attainment of this blessing. Nor 
were those struggles in vain; though he failed " because 
of unbelief," to enter into that glorious rest, his piety 
became more deep, solid and ardent. 

In 1820, he was ordained deacon by Bishop George, 
and appointed to Montgomery circuit. This year ex- 
ceeded in toils and hardships either of the former years 
Kjx xixo iLAiieidJiicy. ixis iieaiLU oecame so enfeebled by 
labor and exposure, that on his return to Troy in the 
spring his friends were greatly alarmed, and all regarded 
him as already marked for an early grave. Yet he re- 
ceived his appointment, determined, if he fell, to fall at 
his post. The appointment, Saratoga circuit, proved 



88 TROY CONKERKNCE MISCELLANT. 

highly favorable. He recovered his health, and his 
labors on the circuit were very acceptable and useful. 
"While on Montgomery circuit he had been united in mar- 
riage to Miss Sarah Clark, who, after sharing with him the 
varied experience of an itinerant's life for nearly thirty 
years, is left in lonely widowhood by his demise. 

Near the close of his year on Saratoga circuit, the 
presiding elder of that district, the Kev. D. Ostrander, 
communicated to him tliat the bishop, at the ensuing 
conference, purposed sending him to the northern part 
of Vermont. This information he had left with the 
presiding elder, directing him to communicate it just 
before the conference, so that he might have an oppor- 
tunity to visit his friends and make preparations for 
removing; and probably, also, that his mind might be in 
some measure prepared for a post involving much labor 
and privation. The reflections of the young minister 
on the reception of this by no means welcome intelli- 
gence, are worthy of being preserved as illustrative of 
his character, and of the principles that actuated him 
in liis work : 

** It is understood that preachers in that part of the 
work fare rather poorly with regard to temporal things. 
This, with some other considerations, has rendered it 
rather an unwelcome lot to many. But I shall interpose 
no objection to going. For, 1. It is purely an episcopal 
appointment. 2. I am willing to take my share of the 
hard as well as the pleasant appointments. 3. I am 
young, and have no family except a wife; and we, being 
both young and in good health, can go as well as not; 
at any rate, better now than at any future period. 

4. Having thrown myself upon the providence of God, 
as a Methodist traveling preacher, it would illy become 
me to forestall that providence and choose for myself. 

5. I wish at all times to have the satisfaction of know- 
ing that I am in the order of God, and then I can go to 



I 



NOAH LEVINGS. 89 

him at all times with confidence, for relief in trouble 
and for help in labor.'* 

Accordingly, at the ensuing conference — having been 
ordained elder — he was sent to Middlebury, Vermont. 
He commenced his ministry b}' discoursing from the text, 
*' We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus, the Lord, 
and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake." And 
this text he placed before himself as the rule or formula 
after which his ministrations were to be modeled. The 
people received him with joy, sustained his hands in the 
work, and his labors were crowned with good results. 
The next year he was stationed in Burlington. We 
find him, while in these two appointments, still intent 
upon improving his mind and heart. " I feel," he would 
exclaim, " the want of more retirement for prayer and 
meditation, and for a closer application to study. No- 
thing but a closer application to study, accompanied 
with much prayer, will ever burst the bands of igno- 
rance and darkness from my mind. Nothing but this 
will enable me to fathom and unfold the depths and the 
fullness of the divine word. Nothing but this will make 
me 'a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,' skill- 
fully and successfully preaching the ' gospel of the 
kingdom.' How much have I yet to learn of God, of 
myself, of my duty, of my privileges, and of the best 
manner of doing good! Lord, teach me by thy Holy 
Spirit; and help me to be diligent in all things." Such 
were the aspirations of the youthful minister! Such his 
longings after God! Such his zeal to qualify himself to 
sustain the high responsibilities of his ministry! 

Among the many books he read about this time, was 
the Life of Napoleon. The history and character of 
the emperor started in his mind a problem which has, 
no doubt, often troubled many a devout and sincere 
inquirer; and which can be solved only by a sense of 
7 



90 TROV CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

the dimness of our spiritual vision and the gross sordid- 
ness of our nature, even under tlie most favorable 
circMnnstanccs. "When men are ready to make such 
sacrifices, brave such dangers, endure such labors, and 
ever manifest such sleepless, untiring zeal for earthly 
good, the possession of which is so transitory, and its 
enjoyment so imperfect, why is it that Christians, pro- 
fessing to believe in all the solemn realities of eternit}- — 
tlie enduring bliss of heaven — arc so feeble and languid 
in their elTorts to secure an immortal crown? *'Did 
we but labor with as much diligence and zeal for the 
incorruptible, as Napoleon did for the corruptible crown, 
what victories over the world, the flesh, and the devil, 
should we achieve? IIow much good wc should do, and 
how much hapjtiness wc should enjoy?" 

While at Burlington, he made frequent excursions into 
the neighboring towns and villages, preaching the gospel 
with varied success. He would often leave home with a 
range of appointments for each evening running through 
two weeks. In some of these appointments he would 
meet with opposition, in others a hearty welcome. 
Sometimes his preaching was in demonstration of the 
Spirit and with great power, so that the breath of the 
Lord came down, and in a mighty gale swept over the 
valley of dry bones. These evangelical labors he pro- 
secuted with even more success during the second year 
of his labors in Burlington ; and they resulted in the 
permanent establishment of Methodism in several places. 
So fully had he imbibed the itinerant spirit, that, on his 
way to the conference at Malta, in the spring of 1825, 
he took a circuit through Middlebury, Sandy Hill, 
Glen's Falls, Amsterdam, Fonda's Bush, and several 
other places, proclaimnig a free, full, and present sal- 
Tat ion in every place. 

His next two years wvro spent upon the Charlotte 



NOAH LEVINGS. 91 

circuit ill Vermont. From this place he was removed, 
at the conference of 1827, to the city of New York. 
This appointment was unsought by him. So far from 
it, when he learned that such was the probable result, 
he ventured a request to the bishop to appoint him to 
some other portion of the work. And when the ap- 
pointment had been made, he came to the city with 
many misgivings and with much fear. But he solaced 
himself with the reflection that the appointment was not 
of his own seeking; and, therefore, should he fail, on 
that ground he would be free from censure. The city 
of New York then comprised one circuit with seven 
churches, and a membership of three thousand two hun- 
dred and eighty-nine persons. The churches were those 
now known as the John, Forsyth, Duane, Alien, Bed- 
ford (then Greenwich A'^illage), Seventh (then Bowery 
Village), and Willet street churches. Six preachers 
were stationed in the city. They circulated through 
the appointments in regular order, each preaching in the 
morning in one church, in another in the afternoon, and 
in a third in the evening ; thus completing the circuit in 
a little over two weeks. 

In this new field of labor the popular talent of Mr. 
Levings found ample room for exercise and abundant 
stimulus to call it forth. His discourses were character- 
ized rather by brilliancy than depth of thought, b}" apt 
and striking illustration rather than by strength of rea- 
soning. The tenacity of his memory and the fluency of 
his speech were alike remarkable. He never wanted 
for words, and his superintendent on the circuit, "re- 
presenting his case " before conference, said: " Brother 
Levings was born with words on his tongue." The tones 
of his voice were well managed and pleasing; his gesture 
was appropriate and exceedingly graceful ; his delivery 
was ardent, while at the same time his whole manner 
was self-possessed. These were precisely the qualities 



92 TROY CONFERKNCE MISCELLANY. 

to render a man popular in New York. Accordingly, 
his con«;regations were crowded to excess. Numbers 
followed him from churcli to church, unwittingly, per- 
Imps, violating the proprieties of the Christian sabbath 
and of the worship of God in order to enjoy the eloquence 
of their favorite preacher. More than twenty years 
have passed away since that period, and yet I find many 
who still retain a vivid recollection of portions of his 
discourses, and of the effects produeed upon the con- 
gregations by them. lie has, during this period, been 
accused of catering to the religious enthusiasm of that 
class of excitable persons whose manifestations of piety 
are apt to be more vociferous than practical. "What 
foundation for this cliarge his preaching at that day, 
when youthful enthusiasm was at its height, may have 
afforded, we will not undertake to say; or, indeed, how 
far his ardent zeal and his own high state of religious 
enjoyment may have superinduced these results, is a 
question we may not now profitably discuss. The purity 
of his Christian and ministerial character none have 
ever doubted; nor have any questioned but that the 
great ends of the gospel ministry were accomplished 
through his labors. 

The manner in which he felt the responsibilities of 
his work, and the spirit that actuated him in its com- 
mission, may be best seen in the private journal of his 
labors and experience. In his record of September 7th, 
for this year, he says: 

** For some weeks past I have felt more than ever 
the importance of the work in which I am engaged. I 
trust that I am enabled to love God more than ever 
before. that my heart may be filled with supreme 
love to Him who is my life and my salvation! Blessed 
bo the Lord God, my heart seems more and more taken 
up in his work! I am far from believing that raptures 



NOAH LEVINGS. 93 

are a sure evidence of deep piety. It is a good re- 
mark, that shallow water ripples, while that which is 
deep generally rolls on in silence and tranquility. If I 
have my will subdued, my passions governed, and my 
affections sanctified and set on things above, then have 
I evidence of a deep and genuine work of grace. 
Lord, search my heart and know me; see if there be 
any wicked way within me, and lead me in the way 
everlasting." 

On another occasion, when he had completed his 
thirty-first year, he enters into the following train of re- 
flections : 

" How swiftly do the years fly away? How soon 
will eternity be my everlasting home! How stands the 
account, let me inquire, between God and my soul? 
"Wherein am I better than I was one year ago? Do I 
love God more than I did then? Have I a greater dead- 
ness to the world, or a greater conformity to Christ? 
Do I feel more the importance of the work in which I 
am engaged? I have much reason for repentance upon 
all these points; and yet in some respects I trust I am 
advancing in the divine life. Some of these questions 
I believe I can answer in the affirmative. But how slow 
my progress ! I feel myself to be the weakest of the 
weak. 0, for divine grace to help me! I have of late 
had some gracious intimations of the divine willingness 
to make my heart His constant home. 0, when shall I 
experience all the fullness of God!" 

Thus do we find this servant of God, in the full tide 
of his popularity, still yearning after holiness of heart; 
still panting for full redemption in the blood of Christ. 
Nothing could seduce him from his allegiance to the Sa- 
vior; nothing could unsettle him in his determined reli- 
ance upon Christ. 

He had a buoyancy and elasticity of spirit that some- 



54 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANT. 

times seemed to border upon lightness. This he felt to 
be a sore temptation. lie says: 

•* The Lord knows, and, to some extent, I know, that 
I have many imperfections, both as a Christian and a 
minister. I am naturally prone to be unguarded in 
speech; especially when in the company of Christians 
and ministers. By this I sometimes inadvertently offend 
against the generation of God's cliildren. This often 
wounds my heart and wrings it with sorrow. May God 
forgive and help me, that I offend not in word; for 
* the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the 
whole body.' " 

We admire the watchfulness which thus led him to 
write bitter things against himself. But we have never 
known in him a breach of Cliristian courtesy to his 
brethren. And though possessed of a lively imagina- 
tion, fine colloquial powers, and an inexhaustable fund 
of anecdote, making him a most interesting social com- 
panion; yet we must say, whatever may have been his 
faults in earlier life, that we have always found this ex- 
uberance chastened by the most sweet and lovely Christ- 
ian spirit. The record of this temptation in his jour- 
nal shows, that while panting for more holiness he did 
not cease to watch with a godly jealousy over himself. 

During the fall of this year, the Rev. Freeborn Gar- 
rcttson sickened and died at the house of his friend, 
George Suckley. in the city of }\c\v York. During his 
sickness it was the privilege of our brother to visit him, 
to be instructed by his counsel, and cheered by his re- 
signation and by the triiunphs of his faith. Under dat- 
of S'ptember 17th, he says: 

" This morning I visited the venerable Freeborn Gar- 
rettson, who lies dangerously ill at the residence of 
George Suckley, Esq. He is faint, yet pursuing; and I 
trust will make a good and glorious end, when called to 



NOAH LEVINGS. 95 

lay down his body and his charge. He said, ' I have 
given up my wife and daughter; my treasure is in 
heaven.' Then with uplifted hands he exclaimed: 'I 
want to go home to Jesus. There is nothing below 
worth looking upon.' And, addressing himself to me, 
he said; 'Keep straightforward, straightforward.' I 
then said: ' Sir, you must feel at this time something like 
Simeon of old, having lived to see the salvation of God 
these thirty or forty years in the rise and progress of 
Methodism in these United States.' But on my express- 
ing some fear lest we, who are sons in the gospel, 
should suffer the work to decline from its original sim- 
plicity and purity, he instantly replied: 'You will 
standf and do better than we have done.' " 

Nine days later, the good old patriarch departed to his 
rest. The dying scene, as well as the character and 
history of this old veteran of Methodism, seemed to 
make an ineffaceable impression upon the mind of the 
young preacher ; and led him to long after the spirit of 
the old Methodist preachers, and to desire to imitate 
them in the entireness of their devotion and the abund- 
ance of their labors. Like Elisha, he prayed that the 
mantle of the departing man of God might fall upon 
him. 

At the conference of 1829, Mr. Levings was stationed 
in the city of Brooklyn. During this year his family 
was much afflicted with sickness; and one of his child- 
ren, " little Charles Wesley," was taken from him. 
His feelings on the occasion were thus expressed: 

" Shall we receive good and not also evil at the hand of the Lord? 

' Thankful I take the cup from thee, 

Prepared and mingled by thy skill; 
Though bitter to ihe taste it be, 

Powerful the wounded soul to heal!' " 

He was returned a second year to Brooklyn, and 
throughout the period of hisstay labored with eflficiency 



9G TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

and success. During tliis second year he accompanied 
Jolni Garrison, Esq., on a pilgrimage to Salem, New 
Jersey, to erect a monument over the grave of tliat dis- 
tinguisljt'd and lioly man of God, Benjamin Abhott. At 
the conference of 1JS31, he was elected a delegate to the 
General Conference, and appointed to New Haven. 
During his second year in New Haven, the church in 
Fair Haven was erected through his agency. Finding 
an opening there to do good, he undertook to erect a 
small building for a prayer and lecture room: but the 
subscription soon became so large that he felt war- 
ranted in the erection of a church. In this enterprise, 
however, he was greatly alHicted by the opposition of 
some from whom he had looked for assistance and en- 
couragement. This not only wounded his feelings, but 
in a measure crippled his energies. However, he went 
forward in the name of the Lord; and, being nobly sus- 
tained by one or two brethren, he carried the enterprise 
to so favorable an issue, that when the church had been 
completed, and was committed to a board of trustees, 
the debt upon it amounted to but one hundred and 
ninety dollars. Soon after, the society in that place was 
organized into an independent station, and have con- 
tinued to maintain themselves as such until the present 
day. 

His success in New Haven was not such as to afford 
him much satisfaction; and he regarded his labors there 
with almost as much pain as pleasure. At their close, 
he was led to review the causes of this want of success. 
This he did with deep feeling and with much prayer. 
As his reflections may be applicable to other societies, 
and withal arc suggestive of important considerations, 
we insert them in brief, premising that we have no rea- 
son to believe them to be more applicable to th^t par- 
ticular society at the present day than to any other. The 




NOAH LEVINGS. 97 

following he regarded as the prominent causes of the 
want of success and of prosperity in the society: 

" 1. Want of greater zeal, piety, and faithfulnes, on 
the part of the preacher. 

*' 2. Divisions and party-spirit among the members 
of the church. 

*' 3. Want of union, brotherly love, and Christian 
forbearance among the official members. 

** 4. Neglect of the leaders in visiting the members of 
their respective classes. 

*' 5. Neglect of, or an irregular attention to, the 
prayer-meetings by the official members. 

" 6. Disaffection among some (very few, I trust) to 
the institutions of the church." 

One of the evidences of this disaffection on the part 
of certain persons, was the fact, that whatever was 
written and published by disaffected persons abroad, 
would soon find its way into their hands, and seem to 
find a ready response from their hearts; and by them 
be circulated among other members of the church with 
great industry. Whatever assailed the church seemed 
to be regarded by them with more interest than that 
which was written for its vindication. 

These are great evils in a church; and wherever they 
exist to any extent, they furnish a powerful obstacle to 
its religious prosperity. They will neutralize the most 
devoted and self-sacrificing efforts of the Christian min- 
ister. He may preach with " the tongues of men and of 
angels," but the word, to a great extent, must remain 
fruitless. The last cause mentioned might seem to in- 
dicate an undue and selfish jealousy on the part of the 
preacher. But we are bold to say, that whenever a rest- 
less dissatisfaction has crept into a society or chnrch, 
its members themselves are the main sufferers by it. 
Persons affected by this spirit, well-intentioned and 



9'i TRUV CONFfciKE.NCfc MISUliLLANY. 

pious as they may be, see every thing in a wrong light. 
They may continue to adhere to tlie church; but their 
feelings are not conlial; their labors are not hearty, nor 
yet in faith. The hands of tiie minister and of the other 
members are weakened by them. Through them the 
church lus no unity, no strength, and no success. And 
then the very want of success becomes an occasion of 
more bitter complaint; and too often is regarded as 
confirmation strong of the justice of their prejudice and 
disaUcction. Thus, as it is said of jealousy, the spirit 
they possess creates the food upon which it feeds and by 
which it is nourished. Tliis is the natural result of 
disalfection in a church ; and sometimes it requires years 
of toil to repair the damage wrought in a few months. 
Nor are those societies fvw in number wliich have re- 
ceived shocks from which they never recovered. 

Mr. Levings took but little part in the deliberations 
of the General Conference in 1832, being summoned 
home on account of the sickness of his wife, soon after 
its commencement. The Troy Conference was this year 
organized, comprising the northern portion of the former 
New York Conference. To accommodate the work, it 
became necessary to transfer him to this conference tli/B 
next 3'ear, and he was appointed to Garrettson station, 
Albany. At first he yielded a reluctant assent to the 
transfer — heeding the saying, A prophet is not without 
honor, save in his oicn country, and among his own kin ; 
but his reception was so cordial among the people, and 
God opened his way so graciously, that he soon felt the 
change to be in the order of divine providence. 

lie had been absent from this region six years, during 
which time he had tilled three heav}' and responsible 
appointments. His desire for mental improvenunt, and 
especially to enlarge the sphere of his theological know- 
Wge, continued unabated. Besides extended studies in 



NOAH LEVINGS. 99 

the Evidences of Revealed Religion, and in Systematic 
Divinity, he had given considerable attention to Greek 
and Hebrew. But his progress in these latter studies 
was retarded by his necessary attention to pastoral and 
ministerial duties. He seemed to act upon the principle 
of AVesley — "Getting knowledge is a good thing, but 
saving souls is a better." Not that he would pervert 
the maxim into an apology for the neglect of study; but 
in all his studies he would not forget that the grand 
object of them should be to make him more skillful and 
more successful in winning souls to Christ. And while 
he husbanded the fragments of his time for the acqui- 
sition of knowledge, he did not forget that the duties of 
the pastoral office had a paramount claim. During this 
period also he had repeated calls to dedicate churches, 
and to deliver missionary and Bible addresses. In these 
efforts he uniformly acquitted himself as a workman 
that needed not to be ashamed. Two of his dedication 
sermons were published, and are very creditable spe- 
cimens of pulpit eloquence. 

His labors in Albany were greatly blessed, and he 
returned a net increase of one hundred and six members 
to the next conference. During the year he had also 
visited various places without* the bounds of his charge, 
preaching the word of life with power and success. In 
1834, he was stationed in Troy; thus, after sixteen years 
absence from the society which i-aised him up, and from 
which he went forth to preach the word of life, he re- 
turned to them as their pastor. In his weakness they 
had watched over him ; they had counseled, encouraged 
and prayed for him. "While yet a stripling, they had 
sent him forth into the vineyard of the Lord with their 
benedictions upon his head; and now, in the maturity 
of his strength, he came back to repay their kindness, 
and to devote his energies to the building of them up in 



100 TROY CONFEREVCK MI8CELLANT. 

the Lonl. To tho people, tliough he had been absent so 
long, he scenu'd as one of themselves. They received 
him with joy, labored with him in liannoFiy, and at the 
end of his two years were parted from him witli deep 
sorrow. He was a delegate to the General Conference 
of 1836, held in Cincinnati, and was distinguished no 
less by the amenity of his deportment, than by his ju- 
dicious and conservative course in regard to the pro- 
foundly important and exciting subjects that came 
before that body 

At the ensuing annual conference he was stationed in 
Schenectady. The society here had just erected a new 
and beautiful church, and Methodism was assuming a 
position and an importance in tlie place that it had not 
previously had. Accordingh', in entering upon his 
charge, he felt that a great responsibility rested upon him. 
The character of Methodism in the place was to receive 
a new stamp, and the work of God a new impulse; its 
altered and improving circumstances required the de- 
velopment and right direction of new elements of moral 
power. Entering upon his work with these views and 
feelings, he prosecuted it with unwearied diligence and 
with great success. The congregation was greatly in- 
creased in numbers, and also improved in character. 
The mcmbersliip of the church rose from one hundred 
and ninety-one to three hundred and fifteen; and to his 
services Methodism is not a little indebted for its char- 
acter and standing even at the present day. 

During the two years spent in this place he dedicated 
seven churches, one of which was the Seventh street 
Church in New York city. He also delivered a great 
number of special sermons, as well as missionary, Bible 
and temperance addresses. The performance of so much 
labor abroad, while at the same time his flock were not 
neglected at home, shows that he was a man of untiring 



NOAH LEVINGS. 101 

industry as well as of great activity. In the spring of 
1837 he was called to dedicate a church in llinesburgh, 
Vermont, under very interesting circumstances. Eleven 
years before, while on the Charlotte circuit, he had 
formed a small society in that place; a weak and sickly 
plant, he hedged it around, and fostered it by his labors 
and his prayers, 3^et doubtful of its existence and growth. 
But, watered frjm on high, it had taken root, grown up, 
and become a vigorous tree. The little society had 
now erected a house in which to worship God; and he, 
who had been the apostle of God's grace to their souls, 
was called to perform the solemn service of consecra- 
tion. The recollections of former seasons and of former 
toils were vividly awakened in his mind by this visit. 
Greatly did he rejoice to find that the bread cast abroad 
upon the waters had been gathered after many days, 
and that his work had not been in vain in the Lord. 

While in Schenectady, Mr. Levings had the good 
fortune to become personally acquainted with Dr. Nott, 
president of Union College. In him he found a kind 
friend, and a judicious, able counsellor; and not un- 
frequently did the doctor assist him in his work. At 
the invitation of the president, Mr. Levings preached to 
the students in the college chapel, and his discourse 
was well received and highly spoken of. Indeed, so 
favorable was the impression made, that, subsequently, 
while stationed in Albany, he was invited to perform a 
similar service. The estimate of his talents and acquire- 
ments formed by Dr. Nott, was afterwards expressed in 
a very significant manner; as, on his recommendation, 
the college over which he presided conferred on Mr. 
Levings the degree of Doctor of Divinity. 

From some cause or other, some of the societv in 

Schenectady were very much opposed to the preacher 

appointed by the conference to succeed him. Seeing 
8 



102 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

onl} evil to the society, as well as to the preaclier, in 
this opposition, his generous heart impelled him to throw 
himself hctwecn the people and tlic preacher, and his 
fertile mind readily found a way to do it efTectually. 
He reached home on Saturday, and, while the tones of 
discontent and dissatisfaction were heard all around him, 
he entered the pulpit the next day (the preacher not 
having arrived), and preached in the morning from, — 
*• But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after 
him, saying. We will not have this man to reign over us." 
(Luke xix, 14.) In the afternoon he took for his text, — 
'* Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the 
arm of the Lord revealed?" (Isa. liii, 1.) Those who 
have marked the fertility of his mind, the facility with 
which he adapted himself to circumstances, can wxll 
conceive how th.ese two subjects were employed on this 
occasion. Sufhcc it to say, no murmur of discontent 
was afterwards heard. The preacher was well received, 
labored in harmony with the people, and the result of 
his first year's labor was a net increase of seventy-five 
members; and a year later the same society reported to 
the conference a membership of four hundred and fifty, 
showing a net increase of one hundred and thirty-five 
in two years. How much better for the society than to 
run upon the rock on which so many societies have 
literally '* split!" In the rejection of a minister, it is 
rarely the case that he is the only sufferer; often divi- 
sions and heart-burnings grow out of it, distrust is 
engendered, and years elapse before the church recovers 
from the selt'-inllicted evil. We say self-inilictcd, be- 
cause we have found that these objections often, if not 
generally, arise from unfounded prejudices or false 
views; and, at best, a violent remedy will almost in- 
Tariably prove to be a worse evil than that which it 
seeks to cure. 



NOAH LEVINGS. 103 

At the conference of 1838, ]\Ir. Levings was appointed 
presiding elder of Troy district. At the ensuing con- 
ference, however, he w^as removed from the district, 
being succeeded by the Rev. T. Spicer, and appointed 
to the North Second street charge in the city of Troy. 
On announcing the change to the conference, the bishop 
paused in reading the appointments, and stated that he 
had not made this change, 1st. Because brother Levings 
had requested it; for he had not. 2d. Nor because he 
considered him incompetent to the charge of the district. 
3d. Nor because he had been unfaithful in discharging 
the duties of the district; for in both these respects he 
had the fullest satisfaction from both preachers and 
people on the district. 4th. But the change was made 
because brother Levings was wanted for another field of 
labor. This change brought him again into the midst 
of a people to whom he was strongly attached, and by 
whom he was greatly beloved. Not only were they 
strongly devoted to him, but they fulfilled the divine 
injunction — "Love one another." They were united 
and faithful; and the year was one of signal blessings — 
the return made to conference showing a net increase 
of one hundred and twenty members. 

From this station he was transferred, at the confer- 
ence of 1840, to Division street, Alban}'', where he spent 
the two succeeding years. During the summer of this 
first year he was greatly afflicted with the loss of a 
much-loved daughter. She died after an illness of only 
a few days, aged a little over five yeai*s. He had lost 
other children, but this was emphatically the child of 
his heart; and to part with her, he says, *' was one of 
the severest trials of his life." For some months pre- 
vious to her death, she had frequently spoken of dying 
and going to be with her Savior, and with her little 
twin sister, who had died when but a little mere than 



104 TROT CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

a year old. She oHen sang, with apparently deep feel- 
ing, the verse commencing: 

" What i* this thai steals upon my I'laii.r? 
Is it death, is it death.''' 

Thus exhibiting a maturity of intellect and of faith, 
uncommon at so early an age, the little suflVrer passed 
sweetly away to her rest. From very childhood she 
had been the companion and friend of her father, an 
angel of love hovering around him, a sunbeam from 
heaven shining upon liis path. Painful was the visita- 
tion, deeply was he chastened; but salutary did he feel 
the discipline to be. 

From Albany he was removed to Troy, and again sta- 
tioned in the State street church. At the close of this 
year, it was generally desired by the preachers, and also 
by many of the people, tliat Mr. Levings should again 
be returned to the district. To this, however, he had 
insuperable objections, founded not upon considerations 
of personal expediency, but upon principle. This, com- 
bined with other circumstances, induced him to ask a 
transfer to the New York Conference, which request 
was granted, and he was again appointed to New York 
city, to labor in the Vestry street charge. The cordial 
welcome he received on his first arrival, and the tokens 
of continued affection from his people, were the source 
of peculiar satisfaction to him, and greatly encouraged 
him in his work. 

At the General Conference of 1844. the Rev. E. S. 
Janes, who for several years Iiad tilled, with dis- 
tinguished ability, the office of Financial Secretary o^ 
the American Bible Society, was elected a bishop in 
the Methodist Episcopal church. In the June following, 
Dr. Levings was elected to the oflice made vacant by 
Mr. Janes *8 resignation. The church with whom he 
had been laboring but one year being strongly attached 



NOAH LEVINGS. 105 

to him, and quite unwilling to give him up, he was 
continued in the charge another year. He had, there- 
fore, during the year to perform, as best he could, the 
duties both of his pastoral work and secretaryship. It 
was a year of great labor. A man of less activity and 
endurance, or of less flexible mind, would have found 
himself inadequate to the task. In addition to his 
home labors, he visited, during the year, four or five 
annual conferences, presenting before them the claims 
of the Bible cause; and delivered over thirty Bible ad- 
dresses before various societies in different parts of the 
country. Notwithstanding these extra efforts, he con- 
tinued to labor with great acceptability and success in 
his pastoral charge. And when the term of his service 
closed in V^estry street, he made a grateful record of 
God's mercy in sustaining him, and in giving him favor 
among the people, and success in his ministry. 

Being now released 'from his charge, he devoted him- 
self entirely to the duties of his office, and to the inter- 
ests of the American Bible Society. Of his travels and 
labors for three succeeding years we have no authentic 
and definite account, aside from the minute of the 
places, times, and subjects of his discourses. No entry 
was made in his diary subsequently to the closing of 
his pastoral relation with the Vestry street people. It 
is, however, generally known that he devoted himself 
with unceasing assiduity to promote the interests of 
the Bible cause. He performed long and toilsome jour- 
neys, visiting almost every section of the country, and 
presenting the claims of the society before ecclesiastical 
bodies, and addressing numerous local auxiliaries. At 
the same time, also, a burden of correspondence, relating 
to local agencies and the financial operations of the so- 
ciety, rested upon him. 

During the fall of 1847, while on an extensive tour 



106 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

througli the western and south-western states, ho con- 
tracteil a dysentery from the use of the water on the 
western rivers. He reached home very much enfeebled 
in health, and for two or three months was unable to 
resume his labors. Indeed, for the most of that time 
he was conf5ned to his house and bed; and, during some 
part of it, it was doubtful whether he would ever be 
restored again to health. God, however, graciously 
raised him up, and he was again permitted to go forth 
to labor in his Master's vineyard. During this sickness, 
the writer of this sketch repeatedly visited him. The 
seasons of conversation and of prayer enjoyed at this 
time will long be remembered. He possessed the same 
buoyancy of spirit and spriglitlincss that ever character- 
ized liim; nor had his fund of amusing and instructive 
anecdote failed. He was indeed himself; but he exhi- 
bited a maturity of faith and a depth of piety that 
seemed to augur a speedy termination of his earthly 
pilgrimage. His constitution never recovered fully its 
former vigor; but he was able still to discharge the 
duties of his oflice with eflieiency through the spring 
and summer of 1848. 

In the fail of that year the interests of the Bible So- 
ciet} demanded of him another tour through the south- 
western states. He left home with much reluctance, 
and under great depression of spirits, having and ex- 
pressing a deep presentiment of evil. Yet with his 
usual vigor he prosecuted his work ; during the months 
of October and November he traveled near four thousand 
miK'S. visiting the Tennessee, Memphis and Mississippi 
conferences, prcathing eighteen sermons and delivering 
uine addresses. He was subject to much inconvenience 
on some parts of his route, owing to the rainy weather 
and the bad condition of the roads. On one route he 
spont three days and three nights in a stage, traveUng 



NOAH LEVINGS. 



107 



over roads almost impassable. The last night two of 
the wheels sunk up to the hub in the mire, and the 
coach was nearly overturned. There were nine grown 
persons and two children inside, who were obliged to 
get out and stand upon the ground, while the rain was 
pouring down upon them, till the driver had unharnessed 
one of the horses and rode half a mile to obtain a gang 
of negroes to pry up the carriage. This occupied nearly 
two hours. Under such exposures, his health began to 
fail during the latter part of November. But he per- 
severed in his mission till the 24th of December, when 
he preached in the Presbyterian church in Natchez. 
This was his last public discourse. 

On the succeeding day he wrote a letter to his family 
in New York. This letter is full of tenderness and 
affection. He tells them that he felt it would be wrong 
longer to withhold from them the fact that he was in a 
very feeble state of health. In addition to other diseases 
which had hung about him, he had been subject to several 
severe attacks of asthma, involving sympathetically, 
if not organically, the action of the heart. His nightly 
rest was broken and disturbed, and he was reduced to 
a great degree of bodily weakness. He had purposed 
visiting the Louisiana Conference, but his health would 
permit him to proceed no farther. He now only thought 
of reaching his home, and had many misgivings whether 
he should ever accomplish that. The most expeditious 
and safe route homeward was by the way of the Missis- 
sippi and Ohio rivers; and even this route was not at 
this time without its difficulties. Tiie cholera was 
racing in New Orleans with great violence, and every 
boat that came up numbered a catalogue of victims on 
the passage. Those who died by day were secretly 
carried on shore in the night, and roughly entombed in 
the bank of the river. Nor could the sick and dying 



108 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

cvpcct mucli attention or care; and, indeed, the cold 
and damp state-rooms of the boats furnished but poor 
accommodations for the sick in any case 

With liiin, liou\vi'r, there seemed no alternative; and 
on tlif 29tli of December he took passage on the steam 
boat Mempliis for Cincinnati. The boat was six days 
on her passage; she was crowded with passengers, and 
many were sick and dying with the cholera. His suffer- 
ings on the voyage were greatly alleviated, and his mind 
comforted, by tlu- kind attentions of a Cliristian bro- 
ther, Mr. Klisha Payne, of Madison, Indiana. He also 
received medical advice and assistance from a Dr. Sale, 
who happened to be a passenger on tlie boat. It was 
indeed a gloom}' passage, and he frequently expressed 
the apprehension that he would never live to reach 
his home. This was an object dear to his heart; and 
his highest earthly wish seemed to be that he might die 
in the bosom of his family. However, he was calm and 
resigned ; and, for the most part, retained his accustomed 
cheerfulness and buoyancy of spirit. 

At length he reached Cincinnati; and, at the house 
of his devoted friends, brother and sister Burton, he 
found a welcome home. Ten years before, he had been 
their pastor in the east; he had united them in the 
sacred bonds of matrimony: he had been their friend 
and counselor in times of afHiction and trial. Their 
hearts, lis well as their house, were now open to receive 
him. Like ministering angels they hovered around him 
in his bust earthly allliction. Sweet and yet mournful 
was the task of our brother and sister; they performed 
the last sad ofHees due to departing worth; they minis- 
tered to his last earthly want, listened with inexpress- 
ible sorrow to his last farewell, closed his dying eyes, 
and forsook him not till his dust had been gathered to 
its kindred dust. O, there are green spots upon our 



NOAH LEVINGS. 1C9 

earth, where human affection and sympathy shine forth 
with heavenly lustre! Priceless is their value! It is 
grateful to record them. The Rev. Mr. Strickland, one of 
the agents of the American Bible Society, was also with 
him night and day; and a numerous circle of friends 
rejoiced in the opportmiity to minister to him in his 
affliction. 

His sufferings were great, but in the midst of them 
all he enjoyed perfect peace ; and signal was his triumph, 
through grace, in the last conflict. When he found that 
the great object of earthly desire — to see his family once 
more in the flesh and to die among his kindred — could 
not be realized, he only exclaimed: "The will of the 
Lord be done." On the Sabbath evening preceding his 
death, being asked if he realized strong faith in Christ, 
he replied, '* yes, the Lord Jesus Christ is the strength 
of my heart, and my portion forever. I die in the faith 
of the gospel." On one occasion, when he was sitting 
up, brother Btirton placed a large Bible to support his 
head, that he might breathe more easily. Observing the 
letters upon the back, he exclaimed, " Thou blessed 
book, lamp to my feet and light to mj-path; thou guide 
of my }'outh, director}- of my manhood, and support of 
my declining years; how cheerless would this world be, 
were it not for thy divine revelations and Christian 
experience!" After his will had been signed, he said, 
"Thank God, one foot is in Jordan, and I shall soon 
cross over." When Bishop Morris reached the city, and 
hastened to the bedside of his dying friend, he said to 
him, " Thank God that I am permitted to see your face'' 
once more. I am not able to converse much, but I can 
still say, ' Glory to God.' " The bishop inquired if he 
had any message to send to his brethren of the New York 
Conference. '' Tell them," said he, " I die in Christ ; I 
die in the hope of the gospel. Tell them I have a firm, 
unshaken confidence in the atoning sacrifice of our Lord 



1 10 TROY CONFERKNCE MISCKLLANY. 

Jesus Christ, as the fouiulation, and only foundation of 
my hope of eternal life; and, relying upon that found- 
ation, all before nie is light, and joyful, and glorious." 
In him was most gloriously realized the sentiment of 
the great apostle: To live is Christ, but to die is gain. 
With a firm faitli in his Redeemer, and an unclouded 
view of heaven, he passed in peace and triumph to his 
everlasting reward. The last words he uttered were 
on the occasion of Mr. Burton's children being presented 
to receive his dying blessing. Taking each by the hand, 
he said, *' God bless the dear children, and make them 
holy." 

Between nine and ten o'clock, on the evening of the 
9th of January, surrounded by sympathizing, praying 
Christian friends, he expired. On the following Thurs- 
day his funeral was attended by a large concourse of 
people, embracing many of the clergy in Cincinnati and 
its vicinity. And, after an impressive sermon by Bishop 
Morris, his remains were deposited in the city cemetery, 
but subsequently removed to the Wesleyan Cemetery, 
where the Young Men's Bible Society of Cincinnati pro- 
pose to erect a suitable monument to his memory. Sub- 
sequently, a funeral discourse was delivered by Bishop 
Morris before the New York Conference, and was re- 
quested for publication by that body. The preachers' 
meetings in Cincinnati and New York, the Board of 
Managers of the Young Men's Bible Society of Cincin- 
nati, and also that of the American Bible Society, and 
various other associations, passed resolutions express- 
ive of their high estimate of his character and worth. 

Few men have been more generally beloved within 
the sphere of their labors, and few have been more 
sincerely lamented in their death, tlian Dr. Levings. 
His manner was alfable and winning; liis heart was 
warm and generous; his mind, naturally fertile and 



NOAH LEVINGS. Ill 

lively, and stored with an inexhaustible fund of anec- 
dote, coupled with a retentive and ready memory, a 
brilliant imagination, a striking aptness at comparison, 
and fine colloquial powers, made him a most delightful 
companion in social life. If these peculiarities of char- 
acter, strongly marked in him, sometimes made him 
appear more light and jocose than was befitting the 
ministerial office, and especially to age and superior 
standing in it, there were at least redeeming considera- 
tions to be found in the artlessness and sincerity of his 
piety, and the sacred veneration in which he ever held 
divine things. He was an almost universal favorite 
among his brethren in the ministry. And few ministers 
have left behind them, in the congregations where they 
have ministered, a larger number of strongly attached 
personal friends. 

The cast of his mind, it would be inferred from what 
has already been said, was not that which grapples with 
profound truths and evolves mighty thoughts ; but rather 
that which would take the popular and practical view 
of things. His reasonings generally were of this tone 
and character; and 3'et his sermons were well digested, 
and presented clear and forcible exhibitions of divine 
truth. His performances were almost exclusively ex- 
temporaneous ; he rarely committed more than a very 
brief skeleton to paper. His mind, however, was a 
storehouse of facts and illustrations, and also clear in 
its perceptions, and tenacious in its retention of truth. 
His tongue was like the " pen of a ready writer;" and 
he was never at a loss for appropriate language in which 
o give utterance to his thoughts. He combined, in an 
unusual degree, close argumentation with apt and strik- 
ing illustration and an animated and attractive deliv- 
ery. His personal appearance was such as would 
naturally make a very good impression; his manner 



112 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELIJ^NY. 

was sclf-possosscd, the intonations of his voice well 
managed, and his grstnre easy and appropriate. His 
preaching exhibited none of those overwlielniing strokes 
of eloquence which mark the oratory of some distin- 
guished men; but, when his energies were aroused and 
called into action, his discourses everywhere sparkled 
witli the richest gems. Indeed, fvw could hear him at 
any time without being pleased, instructed, and even 
powerfully impressed. But the highest honor placed 
upon his ministry was the eminent success with which 
God crowned it, in making him the instrument of turn- 
ing multitudes from darkness to light, and from the 
power of sin to the service of God. 

Such was the man whose history and character are 
but inadequately sketched in this paper. lie has now 
ceased from his labors and gone to his reward. Multi- 
tudes have been blessed by his ministry; some of 
whom — dear in his memory — had before him entered 
into rest. Did they not welcome him to the partnership 
of their joys on high? He has gone to rejoin them, 
gone to behold again the loved Martha Ann, ** the child 
of his heart," whose sweet spirit passed away with the 
summer flowers of 1840. He died as t]ie Christian min- 
ister might wish to die. mature in the graces of the 
spirit, fresh from the battle-fields of the cross. Those 
who had been blessed by his ministry accompanied him 
with prayers and tears down to the brink of Jordan; 
those who had gone before, joyfully welcomed him over. 
Thus, in the maturity of his strength and in the height 
of his usefulness, a brother has been called away, a 
standard-bearer in Israel has fallen. 

He was licensed to preach on the 20th day of Decem- 
ber, 1817, and died on the 9th of January, 1849; con- 
sequently, ho sustained the ministerial office a little 
more than thirty years. During that time he ofliciatcd in 



COLES CARPENTER. 



113 



eighteen different appointments; preached nearly four 
thousand sermons; dedicated thirty-eight churches; de- 
livered sixty-five miscellaneous addresses ; and, finally, 
traveled 36,539 miles, and delivered two hundred and 
seventy-three addresses in behalf of the American Bible 
Society. But the best of all this was, his life and min- 
istry were crowned with the divine blessings, and his 
dying moments with the divine glory. 

" Servant of God, well done, 
Thy glorious warfare's past, 
The battle's fought, the race is won, 
And thou art crowned at last."* 



« ^ » » » 



EEV. COLES CAEPENTEE. 



Although nearly twenty years have passed away since 
this man of God exchanged the conflicts of earth for 
the bliss of heaven, multitudes, who used to hang upon 
his lips with gracious pleasure, and spiritual profit, 
still cherish his memory ; to them the name of Coles 
Carpenter, revives the recollection of scenes and asso- 
ciations the most sacred and lovely. The writer feels 
assured that such will appreciate this humble effort to 
rescue from oblivion some reminiscences of their former 
friend and pastor. The regrets, so often expressed, 
that many, even of our most distinguished ministers, 
have left no records of their trials and triumphs, are 
applicable to him. One of our denominational histori- 
ans, deploring this fact, says of Mr. Carpenter. '* Not- 
withstanding his extensive travels, and a quarter of a 
century spent in ministerial labors, scarcely any facts 

* An interesting sketch of Dr. Levings, by Bp. Morris, may bt 
found in his Miscellany. 

9 



114 TBOT CONFERENCE BIISCEIJ^NY. 

in liis history liave been recorded, except in tliat liigher 
registry which is kept in heaven, and to which these 
scirsacrificiiig men looked as their reward." {Stevent* 
3Ieviorials of Methodisju, 2d S., p. 448.) 

lie was blessed* witli a godly ancestry. His paternal 
grandmother was one of ihe first Methodists in this 
country, and a most exemplary Christian. I am assured 
that her inlluenee is still felt upon her living descend- 
ants of the fourth generation. His father's name was 
Morris Carpenter, and botli of his parents were members 
of that branch of the church, of which their son was 
a prominent minister. Mr. Carpenter was born in 
"Westchester county, N. Y., March 17, 1784. In his 
youthful days, he showed a fondness for the amusements 
and follies common among tlic young; but when, at 
about the age of seventeen, he became the subject of 
converting grace, he abandoned forever the pleasures 
of sin. That an occasion of temptation might be put 
away, he desired at once to sell a fast horse, of which 
he had been proud. 

He began immediately to exhort his fellow youth to 
repentance, and his appeals were oAen cxceedingl3' af- 
fecting, drawing tears from eyes unaccustomed to weep. 
Decision of character exhibited itself in his early re- 
ligious history. Soon after his conversion, as he was 
passing the house of an irreligious neighbor, his piety 
was made the subject of ridicule. Witli a firmness that 
did him and his Master honor, he replied, ** Your un- 
belief shall not make shipwreck of my faith," and passed 
on his way. His exemplary conduct on that occasion, 
made a deep impression on a daughter of the man that 
was ridiculing him, who heard and saw what passed, 
and who has long since embraced the religion so happily 
exemplilied in this youthful disciple. 
At au early period in his Cluistiau life, he was li- 



COLES CARPENTER. 115 

censed to preach, and in 1809 he was received on trial 
in the New York Conference, being then twenty-five 
years of age. In 1811, he was ordained a deacon by 
Bishop Asbury, and in 1813 to the office of an elder by 
Bishop McKendrce. He continued in connection with 
the l^lew York Conference until its division in 1832, 
when his lot fell in the Troy Conference, at the first 
session of which, held in August, 1833, he was ap- 
pointed presiding elder of the Troy district, and took 
up his residence in Lansingburgh. In this important 
office, he was permitted to continue but a short time; 
long enough, however, to evince his adaptation to this 
new sphere. He passed once around his district, mak- 
ing a favorable impression upon preachers and people. 
Soon after commencing his second tour, he was con- 
fined to his house, some three or four weeks, with in- 
flammation of the liver. When but partially recovered, 
he attended two quarterly meetings, being able to do 
little more than preside at the conference. 

He went to his next quartely meeting at Cambridge, 
and on arriving, in company with his wife, at the house 
of Mr. D arrow, on Friday evening, he expressed the 
hope that he should be able to preach twice at the ap- 
proaching quarterly meeting, as he felt better than he 
had done since his sickness. But how little we know 
of the future! His last sermon was already preached, 
his days were numbered, and he was then on the thresh- 
old of the eternal world ! 

That evening as he was seating himself at the tea 
table, he was suddenly and violently attacked with bil- 
ious cholic. The kind family used every exertion in 
his behalf. Four physicians were called, they were 
unremitting in their attendance and efforts, but all in 
vain, and on the following Sabbath evening, February 
17, 1834, his sufferings terminated in death. 



11 G TBOY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

During his short sickness ho was perfectly rational, 
and, sudden as was the call, he met the king of terrors 
with perfect composure, conversing about him with free- 
dom and cheerfulness. "With his dying lips he declared 
his lirm confidence in the truth of the doctrines he had 
preached, and repeatedly assured his friends, that tho 
prospect before him was cleai*. A little before he died, 
he asked the doctor whether he thought he might live 
an hour longer, and expressed a strong desire to con- 
tinue until his children should arrive, assigning as a 
reason, that he wished to give them his last blessing. In 
the inscrutable providence of God, he was denied this 
privilege. He was content, and said "It is no farther 
from Cambridge to heaven than from Lansingburgh." 
He left his dying charge to his children, tliat they should 
" be good, and meet him in heaven." When his voice 
failed so that he could no longer speak aloud, the anx- 
ious ear of his friends caught the last whisperings of 
that tongue, which had so often and so sweetly told of 
redeeming love, the riches of grace, and the heavenly 
inheritance. Those last whispers were: " Glory ! glory ! 
glory!" until his tongue was silent in death. 

Thus died the Rev. Coles Carpenter, in the forty- 
ninth year of his age. His remains were taken to Lan- 
singburgh, where, by the side of his companion and 
daughter, they await the summons of the last day. 
The Presbytery, which was then in session in that vil- 
lage, showed their respect for him, by adjourning to 
attend his funeral. A sermon was preached on the oc- 
casion by Rev. T. Spicer, on " Our friend Lazarus 
slcepeth," in which it was shown: First, that good men 
arc the friends of Jesus. Secondly, that though his 
friends, they must die. Thirdly, their death was com- 
pared to a sleep — they shall awake again. 

Mr. Carpenter is universally spoken ol in high terms, 



COLES CARPENTER. 117 

by his associates in the ministry. Dr. S. Luckey speaks 
of him as a '* lovely, meek, unassuming man, a good 
counselor and a peacemaker." He is represented by 
another, who knew him intimately, as " a man of God; 
a man of prayer, faith and the Holy Ghost." 

As the head of a family, he was affectionate and faith- 
ful. The following extract of a letter, addressed to one 
of his sons soon after leaving home, bespeaks his pious 
solicitude and fidelity. 

*'New York, June 8, 1829. 

"My Dear Boy: I feel much concerned for you, believ- 
ing your future respectability and happiness depend, in 
a great measure, on your present behavior. You are 
now, in some sort, from under the eyes of your parents; 
and if you have not consideration enough to watch over 
yourself and refrain from loose company, we must re- 
gard your imprudence as an omen of your future ruin. 
Let respect for yourself and for your friends, who have 
offered up prayers and tears for you, stimulate you to a 
laudable ambition to shun all improper behavior, and 
to secure the confidence of the wise and good. 

*' Your parents are now approaching old age, and, if 
after all their labor and toil to bring up their children, 
they should see any of you dissipated and pests to socie- 
ty, the evening of their life would be covered with a 
cloud, and their gray hairs would go down in sorrow to 
the grave. 

*' I beseech of you, do not neglect to attend church on- 
the sabbath. Do not associate with such as spend the 
holy day of the Lord in a profane manner. You need 
have no fear but you will always find friends if you 
properly respect yourself. Coles Carpenter." 

The following letter shows that the hand of God was 
heavily laid upon him, in domestic bereavements, and 
indicates the spirit in which they were received. 



118 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

« 

•• CoEYMANs, March 20th, 1827. 

*• Dear Children: We have just heard of the death of 
your little boy. And is he gone! Yes, and we must 
soon go to him. Death has lately made many breaches 
in our family, but in no case have we been called to 
sorrow as those that have no hope. Five times has the 
earth opened her mouth in the course of a fow short 
months, to swallow some bone of our bone and flesh of 
our flesh. In the day of adversity let us consider. 
This providence certainly conveys instruction in an im- 
pressive and useful manner, I pray that we may neither 
desjtise the chastisements of the Lord, nor faint at his 
rebuke. "While we are called to mourn, we are also 
called to discharge the debt of gratitude. "When I re- 
trospect, I see the solemn and trying day in which I 
was full of fears for you both, and I shall always think 
that in answer to many tears and prayers, things have 
had so happy an issue. You tell me you have again 
commenced house keeping, and let me say to von, that 
I do not expect to see you prosperous, either in spirit- 
ual or temporal things, unless you are punctual in f\imily 
prayer. Persevere in the service of God, and, although 
matters are somewhat gloomy now, your light shall rise 
in obscurity, and your darkness become as the noon- 
day. Your father, Coles Carpenter.'* 

A letter dated New York, April 6th, 1830, addressed 
to his oldest son, Mr. Morris Carpenter, of Nassau, 
N. Y., shows that death had again invaded his family 
circle. He says, " We have lately been called to part 
with our dear little William. He died of dropsy in the 
head on Saturday last. He will not return to us, but 
we must go to him. Ma}' the good Lord prepare us to 
meet him and all our fricn<ls in glory. Like other men, 
I am born to trouble, but my greatest trouble is that I 
am not more holy and useful. 



COLES CARPENTER. 119 

" I would say to you, as I have always said, * Know 
thou the God of thy fathers, and serve him with a per- 
fect heart and a willing mind.' " 

In November of the same year, another of his familjs 
a much loved daughter, was taken from him. The fol- 
lowing letter, written on the day of the funeral, breathes 
a spirit of meekness and submission which is instructive 
to the reader, while it exhibits the character of the 
writer. 

*' Schenectady, Nov. 6, 1850. 

"Dear Children: We are again wounded, deeply 
wounded. Our Anne Eliza is no more. A few hours 
since, we committed her remains to the tomb. She died 
on last Thursday evening, between eight and nine 
o'clock. For the space of five weeks she suffered greatlj', 
but we trust she is now at rest in the paradise of God. 
0, may we prepare to follow her! 

*' The dear child was very lovely and affectionate; 
but the Lord gave her, and he had the right to take her 
away. We may not murmur, though we mourn. This 
is grievous, but not so bitter as a guilty conscience. 
William, and Caleb, and Anne gone! My merciful God, 
who next shall be summoned away? By tears and 
prayers, and fasting, I besought Infinite Goodness to 
spare her a little longer. Blind mortals, we know not 
what is best for us. May he who said to his servant 
Paul, ' My grace is sufficient for thee,' grant us grace 
to help us in time of need. Coles Carpenter." 

And yet again, before his own sudden departure, he was 
called to see another lovely daughter sink into the cold 
embrace of death; but there was light in that dwelling. 
He tells the moui'nfuUy joyous tale in the following note 
to his son: 

Lansingburgh, January 6th, 1833. 

**Dear Children: Our dear Phebe is gone. She 



120 TROY Co:<FERENCE MISCELLANY. 

breatlicd her last ten minutes since. As long as she had 
strength she clapped her hands. She died gasping the 
name of'Jesus, saying, ' lie can make a dying bed easy,* 
then kissed tlie family a few minutes before she ceased 
to breathe, and charged us to meet her in heaven. No 
doubt our loss is her infinite gain. 

Coles Carpenter.'* 
Substantial evidence of his having exemplified religion 
in the family, and discharged his duty as a father, is 
found in the happy deaths above alluded to, and in the 
fact that his six children now living were all converted 
to God in early life. Five of them are now members of 
the M. K. Church and some of their descendants are also 
following in their steps. Five generations of his family 
connections, extending from his worthy grandmother to 
his grandthildren, have held an honorable relation to the 
church of his choice. "What encouragement to the 
Christian parent! Though Mr. Carpenter was denied 
the privilege of giving his dying blessing to his children, 
he gave them what was more valuable, his Jiving bless- 
ing; and they in their turn will hereafter call him 

BLESSKU. 

He teas a superior preacher. His pulpit ability did 
not consist so much in analytic, or argumentative power, 
as in the clearness and beauty, the pathos and force 
with which he exhibited the leading features of the 
remedial scheme, and entreated men to be reconciled 
to God. 

There was more of John than of Peter, more of 
Melancthon than of Luther in his character. Though 
unwaveringly attached to Methodisui, one distinguishing 
trait in his character was his lil)erality of sentiment 
and feeling toward other denominations, llv could sec 
and appreciate goodness, and greatness, outside of his 
own communion, lie disrelished controversy, and was 



COLES CARPENTER. 121 

just such a man as would be, and often was, selected to 
fill the pulpits of other denominations, at the sessions 
of the Conference. He was both an attractive and a useful 
preacher. Possessing a clear, musical voice, a smooth, 
ready utterance, a good imagination, a sound judgment, 
and ardent piety, his sermons could not fail to interest 
and profit. His own soul, and all aroimd him, melted 
beneath the power of his appeals. There was a tide of 
sweet sympathy and affection, flowing out from his heart 
that greatly endeared him to those in whose behalf he 
labored. 

In sitting under his preaching, you could not avoid 
the Impression, that he was strongly influenced by a 
sense of his responsbility to God, and was earnestly 
seeking to save souls. Sometimes he rose apparently 
above himself, and poured forth a stream of elevated, 
chaste, flowing, meltiug eloquence that astonished and 
overwhelmed the people. Dr. Luckey says, " He was 
one of the most truly eloquent men that I ever heard." 
Rev. T. Benedict, who was at one time his colleague, 
speaks of him as "an able preacher, and a lovely- 
spirited man." Rev. E. shorn describes his preaching 
thus: " Mr. Carpenter was very pathetic and impressive 
in exhortation and in hortatory discourses, but seldom 
took up those controverted topics which were so ably 
handled by his senior colleague. Neither did he, like 
him, frequent]}' pour out the terroi-s of the law in over- 
whelming torrents upon the unconverted, being rather a 
' son of consolation,' than a ' son of thunder.' Some of 
his descriptions of the glories and joys of the heavenly 
land are still so distinctly remembered by me, that I can 
almost fancy that I hear his melodious voice yet sound- 
ing in my ears," 

He filled several of our most important stations in the 
city of New York and elsewhere. His appoiutments 



122 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

witliin the bounds of Troy Conference, were at Chatham, 
Sandy Ilill aiul Glen's Falls, and Schenectady; and to 
the presiding eldtrship of Troy district. Let those who 
knew, and heard, and loved him on earth, imitate his 
virtues and heed his counsels, and, erelong, the sacred 
assoeiations of the past shall be renewed and perpetuated 
in the Paradise of God. 



REV. ANDKEAV C. MILLS. 

'• he waited not for noon; 



Convinced that mortal never lived too soon, 

As if lorehoding then his little stay, 

He made his morning bear the heat of day." 

The subject of this brief memoir was born in Castle- 
ton, Vt., February 21st, 1807, and died at the residence of 
his parents in Chester, Warren county, N. Y., October 
18th, 1835. in the 29th year of his age, and the 4th of 
his Christian ministry. 

He was blessed with pious parents, who endeavored 
to train up their family in the *' nurture and admonition 
of the Lord." They were both members of tlie M. E. 
Chureh. Andrew did not, however, embrace religion 
until in the nineteenth year of his age. During his 
boyhood, he manifested a deeided taste for music ; other- 
wise, he was considered rather a **dull boy." It is a 
somewhat singular fact that he did not remember ever 
to have wept, up to the day of his conversion. But the 
softening, genial inlluences of divine grace, opened up 
the fountain of tears, and from that day lie wept often 
and freely. It not unfrequently oceurs, that those whose 
joyous conversion and ardent lirst-love give promise of 
great usefulness, disappoint expectation, while those in 



ANDREW C. MILLS. 123 

whom the early manifestations of spiritual life are 
feeble and unpropitious, subsequently grow and mature 
until they become men in Christ Jesus. Andrew C. 
Mills belonged to the latter of these classes. During 
the first two years of his Christian life he gave no 
special promise of usefulness to the church; and yet 
the good seed was taking root, divine grace was exert- 
ing its leavening influence upon his soul. Modesty and 
other untoward circumstances may for a while restrain 
the outward manifestation, when the inward workings 
of the Spirit may be very active. 

About two years after his conversion, young Mills, 
in company with another young man, commenced holding 
meetings for exhortation and prayer, and God blessed 
their efforts to the awakening and saving of many souls. 
The success of those meetings was a great benefit to 
the subject of this sketch. It inspired him with new 
zeal, gave him encouragement and confidence, and in- 
deed formed an era in his life. From that time to the 
close of his short career, his zeal in the cause of God 
was ardent and unwavering. 

In December, 1829, he was licensed as an exhorter, 
and, in March, 1832, he received his first license to 
preach. In June of the same year, he was employed 
by the presiding elder as an assistant on the Northampton 
circuit, where his labors are believed to have been 
owned of God. At the session of the Troy Annual 
Conference in 1833, he was received on trial and ap- 
pointed to the Bern circuit. In 1834 he was sent to 
Westport. At thi conference of 1835, he was received 
into full connection, ordained a .leacon, and appointed 
to Luzerne circuit. He entered upon his work in this 
new charge full of zeal and hope, little thinking that 
his course was so nearly completed. After spending 
one sabbath there, he visited his parents in Chester, 



124 TROY CONFERKNOE MISCELLANY. 

was taken suddenly ill at his father's house, lingered 
some live weeks, and passed to the home of the pious 
above. 

Mr. Mills' early advantages were not the most propi- 
tious, nor were they improved as they might have been. 
When, however, the grace of life had elevated his soul 
to the high and holy aspirations and aims peculiar to 
the Christian faith, he sought to make amends for his 
early deliciencies. He possessed energy of character, 
decided piety, and a deep sympathy with the people in 
their spiritual interests. His uncommon zeal in his 
Master's work, led him to unceasing efforts to save 
souls. His Christian cheerfulness rendered him an 
agreeable companion. He had already become an ac- 
ceptable and useful preacher, and gave promise of in- 
creasing proficiency in the science of saving souls. He 
was passionately fond of music, was a charming singer, 
and laid this talent under contribution to the cause to 
which his heart and life were devoted. 

Multitudes, without imagining for a moment that such 
a thing could take place, have sung tliese well known 

lines : 

" My willing soul would stay 

In such a frame as ihis, 
Anil sit, and sing herself airay^ 

To everlasting bliss.'^ 

Mr. Mills' passionate love of music is believed to have 
caused his death. Those who knew him well, say that 
*• lie sung himself sweetly to sleep in death/' Thus, in 
one instance at least, the above lines were in some sense 
literally realized. His race was short, but victorious. 
Who can look upon one just girding himself for the con- 
flict, with error and sin, and see him called to lay his 
armor off so soon, without a kind of melancholy interest 
bordering upon regret? 



ANDREW C. MILLS. 125 

The sovereignty of God is, however, exercised in in- 
finite wisdom and goodness. Heaven saw the consecra- 
tion of his life to the self-denying work of the itiner- 
ant ministry, the sacrifice was accepted; an early and 
unexpected release from the toils and prviations inci- 
dent to his calling was given him, and he passed 
away to join in the anthems of the upper sanctuary 

He died well. In his last sickness his mind was 
generally tranquil and peaceful until a few days pre- 
vious to his death, when he became the subject of severe 
temptation, It was his last conflict with the powers 
of darkness, Satan's last effort to torment, and if pos- 
sible, destroy his soul. In this hour of darkness he 
desired his attendants to leave the room, that, like his 
Master, he might contend with the adversary, unseen by 
human eyes. All left him except his father. He wrest- 
led «-ith God in prayer until deliverance came; the 
tempter tied, and his last victory was achieved. 

Thus did this young messenger of the cross exchange 
a wor d of perils and conflicts, for one of everlasting 
security and peace. His last words were those triumph 
ant utterances of St. Paul, "I am now ready to be 
otfered, and the time of my departure is at hand- I 
have fought a good fight, I have finished my course I 
have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me 
a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous 
judge, shall give me at that day." 



10 



126 TROY CONKERENCE MISCELLANY. 

KEV. AHNOJ.I) SCIIOLEKIELD. 

BY REV. KI.HKKT OSBORN. 



The parents of Mr. Scholc field, it is believed, were 
natives of the United States; but at the time of his 
birth they resided in Nova Scotia. In early childhood 
he returned with his mother to this country. "While 
quite a youtli.he became pious, and when about twenty- 
two years of age, he entered upon the work of the Christ- 
ian ministry. 

On a cold morning in the begining of the year ISIO, 
a stranger called at my father's house, told us his name, 
and infonned us that the presiding elder of the New 
York district had sent him to fill a vacancy on that 
circuit. He preached at my father's house that evening 
on Isaiah iii, 10, 11. ** Say ye to the righteous it shall 
be well with him" &c. Such was the effect produced 
on my youthful mind, and such the apparent satisfac- 
tion of the hearers generally, that in my childish sim- 
plicity I said to my mother, " I guess that man will 
some time or other become a bishop." That youth was 
Arnold Scholefield. He labored a fvw months very ac- 
ceptably on that circuit (Reading, in Connecticut), 
under the direction of that excellent but eccentric min- 
ister, the Kev. B. llibbard. 

At the ensuing conference, he was received on trial 
as a traveling preacher, and appointed to Charlotte 
circuit in Vermont. In isl l, lie was sent to Litchfield, 
Conn., and in 1812-13, to Middletown, in the same state. 
In 181 1, his field of labor was the east end of Long 
Lsland, and in 1815-G, in the city of New York. One 
of the most intelligent laymen of our church, in that 



ARNOLD SCHOLEFIELD. 127 

city, recently spoke to me with much affection and re- 
spect of Mr. Schole field, of whose pious labors, and 
amiable character, he seemed to have a lively recollec- 
tion. In 1817, he was appointed to Albany circuit, and 
in 1818-19 to Delaware. These circuits were then very 
large, embraciiig mountainous regions, which Mr. Schole- 
field cheerfully explored, in search of blood-bought 
souls. In 182C-1, he was on the Newburgh circuit, 
and in 1822-3, the people of Dutchess circuit were 
blessed with his evangelical labors. Information re- 
cently received from an aged, pious and respectable 
brother confirms the opinion, which I had previously 
formed, that he was very useful among that people. 
He was not only successful in leading sinners to God, 
but also in defending the doctrines of the gospel, and 
in preserving the lambs of the flock. 

In 1824, he was appointed to the charge of the Goshen 
circuit, in Connecticut. Here I had the privilege of be- 
ing under his paternal care, as I was the junior preacher 
on that circuit. It was my second year in the itinerancy, 
and in Mr. Scholefield I found a father indeed. His 
manner was affectionate, and his conduct exemplary; 
his preaching was excellent, and his conversation in- 
structive. I shall never foi'get my parting with him 
after we had labored together about eight months. Be- 
ing sent by my presiding elder to fill a vacancy on 
another circuit, I called to bid him farewell. While 
affectionately grasping my hand, he looked upward, and 
asked me to remember him in my prayers. 

In 1825, he was appointed presiding elder of the 
Rhinebeck district, which then extended from Albany, 
N. Y., almost to Hartford, Conn., embracing all that 
part of Massachusetts west of the Connecticut river. 
He filled the place assigned him, with dignity and use- 
fulness, for three years. Strong was the affection of the 



128 TROY CONFERKNCE MISCELLANY. 

preachers under liis care towards tluir presiding elder. 
Deep was the interest which he manifested in their 
temporal and spiritual welfare, and in tlie prosperity of 
their work. A sermon which he preached at a camp- 
meeting on Canaan mountain, Litchfield county, Conn., 
in ls25, is still remembered by some in that region, with 
great interest. It was on the last evening of the meeting, 
wlien the liearts of Christians were warm with holy 
fire, and his text was, " Let tlie inliabitaiits of the rock 
sing, let them shout from the tops of the mountains.** 
Isaiah xlii, 1 1. I trust that some of those who shouted 
"Glory to God," that evening, are now, with the min- 
ister who addressed them, worshiping on Mount Zion 
and rejoicing before tlie throne. 

At a camp-meeting in 1827, while Mr. Scholefield 
was exhorting, two unconverted men were so affected 
by the force of divine truth that they fell to the earth, 
the emotions of their souls overcoming their bodily 
8tron>;th. Mr. Scholefield loved, and enjoyed the power 
of religion. 

" At the conference held in New York in 1828, the 
presiding elder of our district. Rev. A. Scholefield, was 
not with us. He was taken sick in May previous, while 
attending General Conference, in Pittsburgh, far from 
family and home, and sickness detained him there after 
the General Conference closed; but a kind brother 
delegate, liev. Tobias Spicer, remained with him till he 
ventured to leave Pittsburgh, and they returned homo 
together. May God grant that these friends may meet 
in that city where sickness can not come, and where 
friends never part."* {See Life of Elbert Oaborn, page 
139.) 

• Mr. S'-holefield bi'ing unahK; to rot urn hon-e at the close of the 
General Conference, the <jiie.>tion was uske«l an ong the New York 
delegation, " What shall he ilone in the rase of brother ScholefieKl ?" 
To which Mr. Spicer replied, "I will take that brother home, either 



ARNOLD SCH0L2FIELD. 129 

At that conference, he received a supernumerary rela- 
tion, in which he continued for three years, residing in 
Austerlitz, Gohimbia county, N. Y., and laboring in the 
work of the ministry as his strength permitted. In 
1831, he resumed effective work, and was appointed to 
the charge of the Chatham circuit. Here he rejoiced in 
seeing the work of God revive. His residence that year 
was the next door to mine. With great pleasure he 
would relate to me what God was doing on some parts 
of the circuit, while he mourned that more good did 
not result from his labors in other parts. During this 
year he had the unspeakable pleasure of witnessing the 
conversion of his eldest daughter, at a camp-meeting 
held at Canaan, Columbia county, N. Y. After a pious 
life of some years, she was called from earth to her 
heavenly home. At the same meeting, he preached, by 
request of his brethren, a sermon on a controverted sub- 
ject. The discourse brought light to the imderstanding, 
and warmth to the heart. During the meeting, several 
from his circuit were made partakers of pardoning mer- 
cy. Some, who are now prominent ministers in the 
different conferences, were then young preachers, sittirg 
under his instruction with delight, and they doubtless 
still remember the gracious season. 

In 1832* he was appointed presiding elder of the 
Troy district. Before the year expired, a paralytic stroke 
disabled him from regular service in that work which 
he loved so well. While in a superannuated relation, he 
remarked in a letter to the writer: " If health and 
strength permitted, how gladly would I again take the 

dead or alive." He di<l so. After watching over him for three 
weeks, he hired a hack, and brought him, by easy stages, to Erie, a 
distance of some one hundred and fifty miles, from which place they 
reached home by public conveyances. S. P. 

* The Troy Conference was organized in 1832, by a division of 
the New York Conference, and Mr. Scholefield became a menber of 
the former. S. P. 



130 TROy CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

roughest circuit I over traveled, aud point sinners to the 
Lamb of God/* 

** Sliortlj after the session of the Troy Conference, in 
1836, Mr. ScholefieUl wSs returning with Ijis wife, from 
visiting his friends east of Albany : they had occasion to 
ride in the evening, in order to reach a public house. 
"When within about two miles of Spraker's tavern, in the 
town of Palatine, he dropped his whip, began to slap 
his right hand on his thigh, and to stamp his foot. He 
attempted to speak, but could scarcely articulate a word. 
Mrs. Seholefield took the reins, and succeeded in getting 
him to the tavern. He never uttered another sentence; 
but after lingering three days and a half, he expired.'* 
(Gen. Minutes, v. 2, p. 495.) 

Mr. Seholefield was an affectionate husband and 
father, a kind neighbor and an ardent lover of his coun- 
try. The unconverted hiLdily respected him as a worthy 
man and citizen. The friends of Jesus were verj' dear 
to him, especially his brethren in the ministry. He de- 
lighted greatly in their society. Well do I recollect 
spending a night with him, in company with another 
preacher, on our return from a camp-meeting. The glo- 
rious season which we enjoyed that evening in a little 
family prayer meeting, is still fresh in my memory, after 
the lapse of twenty-three years. 

" And if our fellowsliip below, 

In Jesus be so sweet, 
"What heiijhl.s of rapture shall we know, 

When round his throne we meet!" 

Mr. Seholefield was a man of firmness and decision of 
character. Although abundant in kindness, he was 
ready to defend the truth. Perliaps few men were more 
capable of meeting and repellir.g the champions of error 
than was Arnold Seholefield, and few would do it with 
8uch Christian meekness. 



ARNOLD SCHOLEFIELD. 131 

He had a heart to sympathize with the afflicted. His 
fervent prayers for, and with my family and myself, 
when a beloved little one lay on the bed of death, in- 
dicated the warmth of his brotherly love, and the depth 
of his Christian sympathy. His strength of mind, the 
extent of his general information, and his unwavering 
attachment to the cause of God, and to *' Christianity/ 
in earnest," led his brethren cheerfully and repeatedly 
to elect him to the responsible post of a delegate to the 
General Conference. 

His plainness of dress, his condescension to inferiors, 
and his willingness to labor, when necessary, with his 
hands, all tended to satisfy the observer that he pos- 
sessed that charit}^ which " vaunteth not itself, is not 
puffed up." Those who are now the elder ministers of 
the New York, Tro)^ and New York East conferences, 
must have a vivid recollection of the bland appearance 
of our departed brother, as they used to meet him at the 
annual gatherings of the original New York Conference, 
when he always had a kind word for the youngest and 
weakest of his brethren. 

Among those whom we believe God gave him as seals 
to his ministry, was one, at least, who became a useful 
minister of the Lord Jesus. Many of those who were 
persuaded by Mr. Scholefield to come to Christ, and 
with whom he offered strong cries to God for their de- 
liverance from guilt, are now, we believe, uniting with 
him in ascribing praises to God and the Lamb. May 
all who loved him on earth, dwell with him in the re- 
gions of everlasting glory. 



To what Mr. Osborn has said, a few words may be 
added. Arnold Scholefield was a man of no ordinary 
character. 

He was a lovely man. Possessed of an even temper, 
gentlemanly and agreeable in all his intercourse, his 



132 TROT CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

conversation was well calculated to win the affections , 
while it ininisterccl grace to the liearers. The more 
suhstantial part of his church, especially, appreciated 
and esteemed him. 

He was a strong man. Not ima^^inative, not flowery, 
but possessed of a vigorous intellect, a clear head, and 
a sound judgment. 

lie was decidedly an able preacher. There was a 
peculiar richness and pleasing variety in his sermons. 
They were tlioroughly studied, well arranged, and full 
of evangelical sentiment. There was no mouthing, no 
effort at display in his preaching; lie aimed at results, 
and by the blessing of God he reached them. His voice, 
though strong, was clear, aiul musical. There was more 
of Paul, however, than of Apollos in his preaching. 
Argument was his forte; and in def^jnding the great 
principles of Christianity he was a master-workman. 
Some of his doctrinal sermons are vividly remembered 
after the lapse of a quarter of a century. A sermon 
preached by him at a camp-meeting at Sandlake in 1825, 
lives in the memory of his hearers. His text was Eze- 
kiel xxxiii, 13-6: '* When I shall say to the righteous, 
that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteous- 
ness and cominit iniquity, all his righteousness shall not 
be remembered ; but for his iniquity that he hath commit- 
ted he shall die for it. Again when I say unto the wick- 
ed, &c." His propositions were: First. The wicked 
man may become good and be saved. Second. Tiie 
righteous man may become wicked and be lost. 

These propositions were sustained by an array of per- 
tinent scriptural ar^'uments, with a clearness and power 
that was overwhelming. Tliough he often dealt heavy 
blows at the dogmas ol Calvinism, he ever kept in view 
the motto adopted by the sainted Fletcher, ** Let bro- 
therly love continue." 



WRIGHT HAZEN. 133 

Such was the meek, talented, laborious Scholcfield. 
If we may but have a succession of such men in the min- 
istry, truth and righteousness will triumph throuo-h the 
land. 



< ♦ ♦ » > 



EE7. HEIGHT HAZEN. 



BY REV. N. LEVINGS, D. D.* 



The subject of this notice . was born in Kent, Putnam 
county, N. Y. He departed this life in the triumphs of 
Christian faith, November 12, 1838, in the 39th year of 
his age, and the 12th of his ministry. 

He was naturally of a very mild and pleasant dispo- 
sition, which won for him the esteem and afifection of 
all who knew him. When at a suitable age, he was re- 
moved by his father to the village of Newburgh, N. Y., 
and placed as an apprentice to the late Mr. Enos Rand- 
all. It was during the time of his apprenticeship with 
this religious family, that he was awakened and brought 
to the knowledge of the truth, as it is in Jesus. The 
immediate cause of his awakening, was the fervent 
prayers of an aged and pious female, whom he overheard 
one day pleading with God, for the children of her 
family. He sought and found the pearl of great price, 
and soon became a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Not long subsequently to this, he began to 
feel himself moved to warn sinners to flee from the 
wrath to come. About this time (the time of his ap- 
prenticeship having expired), he removed to the city of 

=* This article appeared in the Christian Advocate, soon after Mr. 
Hazen^s death. 



131 TROY CONFKHKNCE MI8CKI.I.AK V. 

Troy, wlitiv he t iii^au^ttl in biisiiicsis, liiai us a juuriity- 
man, and siihscqiiLiitly on his own account. 

June I'Jth, 1S24, he was united in marriage to Miss 
Kli/abeth, daugliter of the late Mr. John Wright, of 
Troy. 

Being satisfied of his call to the great and responsible 
work of the ministry, he received license as a local 
preacher in February, l.s2G, and in May, 1827, was ad- 
mitted on trial by the New York Annual Conference, 
and appointed to the Half Moon circuit, where he labored 
two years with acceptability and success. At the con- 
ference of 1829, he was admitted into full connection, 
ordained a deacon, and appointed to the Luzerne cir- 
cuit. Here he continued to labor until the month of 
November, when, in consequence of temporal embarass- 
inent, arising from the failure of those who were in- 
debted to him prior to his entering the traveling 
connection, he obtained leave of his presiding elder to 
retire and settle up his temporal alTuirs. Late in the 
fall, he repaired to the city of New York with his fam- 
ily, entered into business, and, with the exception of 
some little help which he received from one of his rel- 
atives, with his own hands, in about a year and a half, 
paid up all his debts, amounting to $500, besides sup- 
porting his family in that city. This is the reason his 
name is returned, on the minutes of 1830, " without 
an appointment at his own request.'* This step of our 
dejjartcd brother was truly honorable, and developed 
at once his high sense of moral justice, and his piety 
toward God. 

He seemed deeply impressed with a sense of obligation 
to his fellow men, aiul this formed an important part of 
that governing principle, which actuated him in all his 
intcrcourso with men. With him, the bankrupt in 
business, and the minister of Jesus Christ, were char- 



WPvlGIIT HAZEN. 135 

acters, whichhe could not associate in the same person. 
He could ]iot sec how a man could teach others to " owe 
no man anj'thing," and yet be in debt himself, beyond 
his power to pay. 

Nor did success in business wean him from the work 
to which he viewed himself called of God. While en- 
gaged in business, a friend of his who felt interested for 
his success, as a minister of the gospel, said to him on one 
occasion, " Perhaps, brother Hazen, by the time your 
seventy years' captivity are expired, you will be so well 
pleased with Babylon, that you will not feel disposed to 
return to the land of Israel." His reply was, " Wait till 
the time comes, and see !" And, sure enough, as soon as 
his obligations with men are fulfilled, though in the full 
tide of success, he is again in the itinerant field. One 
scarcely knows which to admire most, the promptitude 
with which he laid hold of the business of life, which 
promised him deliverance from his embarrassments, or 
that with which he returned again to his Master's work 
when thus delivered. 

At the conference of 1831, brother Hazen was elected 
and ordained an elder in the church of God, and ap- 
pointed to the Hoosic and Bennington circuit, where 
he labored two years with eminent success. He was 
the honored instrument in the hand of God, of the awak- 
ening and conversion of scores, if not hundreds of souls 
during the two years he traveled that circuit. His 
whole heart was in the work. 

At the General Conference of 1832, the New York 
Conference being divided, brother Hazen was among the 
preachers Avho composed the Troy Conference; and at 
the first Troy Conference, held August 28, 1833, he re- 
ceived his appointment to the Adams circuit, where he 
labored two years with zeal and fidelity, and with a 
good degree of success. During the time he labored 



nC TKOY CONKKRENCE MISCELLANY. 

u^u>ii this circuit, lie was called to drink deeply of the 
cup of allliction. He experienced the opposition and 
persecution of the wicked, but the most painful of all 
was the loss of one of the best of wives. She died sud- 
denly, but in great peace, and holy triumph, in North 
Adams, June 2(5, 1H35; leaving three helpless children 
to add to his care and anxiety. 

At the following conference, 1^35, he received his ap- 
pointment to Waterford station, where he labored one 
year with acceptability and usefulness among the people. 
In ls3(), he was stationed in West Troy, where he 
continued one year, and where he will long be remem- 
bered for his zeal and faithfulness in the cause of God. 
During this year he was united in marriage to Miss 
Lorcna "Witt, of West Troy, who still survives to mourn 
the loss she has sustained in the death of so excellent 
a husband. 

His next ap})ointnu'nt, in l.>37, was the Cambridge 
circuit, where he labored with his usual zeal and diligence 
for one year. At the conference of 1?^3H, that circuit 
being divided, brother llazen was appointed to the 
northern section, which bears the name of Greenwich. 
Here his labors and his life terminated together. On 
returning from the last conference which he was ever 
permitted to attend, he called the oflicial members to- 
gether and stated to them, that as the circuit was now 
divided, and they were thrown upon their own resources, 
both with regard to the temporal and spiritual interests 
of the circuit, it would require the united exertions of 
all their wisdom and strength, to sustain themselves 
and the cause of God committed to their charge. He 
liad already laid his plans of usefulness, and commenced 
his labors; but he was not permitted to carry out those 
plans, nor finish those labors, with tliat dear people, 
according to the original design. Ho was soon arrested 
by the hand of disease. 



WRIGHT HAZEN. 137 

He was first attacked by a broncliial affection, which 
soon terminated in the pulmonary consumption. In 
compliance with medical advice he visited the sea-shore, 
in hope of deriving benefit from the sea air ; but it only 
accelerated his disease, and, therefore, after a short 
time spent on Long Island, he hastened back to his 
friends at the north. He frequently mentioned his visit 
to the south with emotions of gratitude for the many 
tokens of friendship which he received from the friends 
with whom he sojourned. He particularly and grate- 
fully mentioned the kindness and sympathy manifested 
toward him by Rev. R. Seeney, Richard Cornell, Esq., 
and family, and Mr. Haines, all of Brooklyn. He also, 
mentioned the sense of obligation which he felt himself 
under to the captain (name not recollected) of one of 
the steam boats which ran between New York and Sing 
Sing during the camp-meeting at that place. This gen- 
tleman received him on board his boat, and carried him 
back and forth for two or three days, boarding him the 
meanwhile, and, after treating him with marked atten- 
tion and kindness, would take nothing of him. 

During the subsequent stages of his disease, brother 
Hazen was occasionally flattered with the hope of re- 
covering; but, when disappointed in this, no murmur 
or complaint was ever heard from him. lie frequently 
expressed considerable anxiety for the welfare of his 
family, and for the prosperity of the cause of God on 
his circuit; yet he would remark, "I have committed 
all into the hands of God, who will order all for the 
best. Should he see fit to raise me up and spare my 
life, he shall have all my time and strength, but if other- 
wise, the will of God be done." The Lord did order 
otherwise, for his work was done, and the time of his 
departure was at hand. He sunk very rapidly during 

a fGW of the last weeks of his life, and yet without pain 
11 



13?^ TROY rONFKRFNCE MISCKLLANY. 

or distress of any kind. Indeed, lie was most mercifully 
dealt with in this particular. To the last, his sufferings 
were light; his reason sound and clear, and his peace 
like a river. On being asked what were his prospects 
on the near approach of death, he replied that he had 
**" no doubts or fears in regard to his future state; and," 
said he, " as I approach nearer the close, my prospects 
brighten for immortality and eternal life. I think much 
of seeing how it looks in heaven, and, above all, of see- 
ing Jesus, my Savior." To a friend, he said, *' The 
gospel I have preached to others I find to be my support 
and comfort in this tryin<^- hour." Nearly his last words 
were, '* The cradle of death is fast rocking me away 
into eternity, and I assure you it rocks easy." Yes, I 
repeat it, he died without pain or trouble, in the perfect 
possession of his senses, and in the sweetest tranquillity 
and peace of mind. 

Thus died Wright Ilazen, a man of a feeble constitu- 
tion, but of a good mind, which he labored to cultivate 
and improve by a diligent application to study, observa- 
tion and prayer. 

On Thursday, November ITith, the occasion of his 
death was improved at Greenwich by a sermon from 
Rev. Robert Washburn, a local minister of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, to a large and deeply affected a\uli- 
ence, and subsequently his remains were removed to 
Troy, and interred in the family burying ground of his 
first wife. His death was subsequently improved in 
West Troy, the residence of his surviving widow and 
one of the fields of his fonner labors, by a sermon 
founded on Hebrews xiii, 7. 8. 

As a man, Wright Hazen was upright and honorable. 
In his intercourse with men he was discreet and gen- 
tlemanly in all his behavior. He seldom, if ever, 
transgressed the rules of propriety in company. Ho 



WRIGHT HAZEN. 139 

deliberated before lie acted, and spoke with care and 
prudence. His conversation was entertaining and seri- 
ous, but never gloomy. His heart was susceptible of 
the tcndcrest sentiments of friendship, and gratitude 
was a distinguishing trait in his character. 

As a Christian, he was deeply experienced and sincere. 
Humility and meekness shone conspicuously among the 
graces which adorned his character as a Christian. He 
was never noisy in his devotions, but fervent in spirit, 
serving the Lord. He was regular and uniform in his 
religious duties, both in public and private; not the 
creature of circumstance, but governed and directed by 
principle. He enjoyed a good measure of the comforts 
of experimental religion in his own soul daily, as he 
often testified. 

As a preacher, brother Hazen was a man of very re- 
spectable talents. He had stored his mind ,with a good 
degree of general information, but his principal study 
was the Bible. His sermons were well digested and 
well arranged in his own mind beforehand, and, though 
delivered with a feeble voice, they were heard with 
pleasure and profit, and often carried deep conviction to 
the sinner's heart. He was not a noisy declaimer, but 
a sound, sensible, good preacher, such a one as will icear 
well, and be liked the better the longer he is heard. 
But what speaks loudest of all in his favor as a preacher, 
is the success which attended his labors. If " he that 
winneth souls is wise," then was Wright Hazen a wise 
man; for during his ministry he won many souls to 
Christ. 

As a pastor, he was faithful to the flock of Christ, of 
which the Holy Ghost hud made him overseer. He not 
only taught publicly, but from house to house. He did 
not select a few of the most wealthy of his charge, to 
take his turn among these and neglect the poor of the 



140 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

flock ; but wherever his duty called him to go, in tho 
discharge of his pastoral work, he was ever ready and 
willing to go, regardless of their outward condition. 

As a husband, he was ever faithful and kind; and as 
a father, he felt deeply for the spiritual and temporal 
welfare of his children, of which he left four, three of 
whom are too young to realize the loss they have 
sustained. 

Finally, in the death of brother Ilazen, the cliurch 
has sustained the loss of one of her most faithful minis- 
ters; his family, a faithful friend and protector; and tho 
Troy Conterence, one of its most faithful and persever- 
ing ministers. 






KEY. PlIILETUS GKEEN. 

" The zeal of Thine house hath eaten me up." — Psalms. 

Philetus Green was born in Cooperstown, New York, 
January 16, 1809, and died in the city of Troy, Feb- 
ruary 15, 1S40, aged 31 years. But little is known of 
his early life. He was blessed with a pious mother, 
and resided in his native town until he arrived at man- 
hood. His early occupation was that of a coach paint- 
er, in the pursuit of which calling he removed to Troy, 
about the year 1h:K). At this time he was strongly in- 
clined to be skeptical in regard to the Christian religion. 
In January or February of lSo2, however, he was 
brought to an experimental acquaintance with scriptur- 
al truth, in its soul-saving efficacy. He at once united 
with the State Street Church, under tho pastoral charge 
of the Rev. John B. Stratton. 

The change in his character was decided and tho- 



1 



PHILETUS GREEN. 141 

rough: from that time he became a zealous, 
sistent Christian. Shortly after his conversion, he 
adopted a set of rigid rules for the regulation of his daily 
conduct, relative to sleep, private devotions, study, com- 
pany, &c. These rules were read regularly, and observed 
conscientiously. In this he imitated some of the 
wisest and best of men; and to this, in no small mea- 
sure, may be attributed his rapid improvement in divine 
knowledge and grace. In about two years from the 
time of his conversion, a part of which was spent 
at the Wilbraham Academy, he was received on trial by 
the New England Conference. This fact is recorded as ' 
it occurred; nevertheless, the writer can not but look 
upon his .entrance upon the duties of the Christian min- 
istry, as premature. Mr. Green continued in connec- 
tion with the New England Conference four years, du- 
ring which his labors were acceptable and useful. 

In 1837 he was transferred to the Troy Conference, 
and stationed at Waterford, where he was made a bless- 
ing to the people. The following year he was appointed 
to the Greenbush and Castleton mission, where he also 
enjoyed the respect and affection of the people, and the 
blessing of God upon his ministrations. Near the close 
of the year his health began to fail : indications of pul- 
monary consumption were manifested, and although for 
awhile no special fears were entertained, it proved that 
this insidious disease had marked him as its victim. 

He attended the conference in June, 1839, at Sche- 
nectady, during the session of which he was taken with 
an alarming hemorrhage of the lungs, and but just 
escaped bleeding to death. Prostrated by this attack, 
he lay some weeks at the house of Rev. T. Seymour, in ' 
Albany. His work was finished ; or rather, he was pre- 
maturely taken from it. He lingered some eight months, 
until the date above named, when he peacefully crossed 
the flood of death. 



142 



TROY CONFERKNCE MISCELLANY. 



Tlio subject of tilis sketch was not a learned man; his 
early education was deficient; but from the time of his 
conversion he was very studious, and made rapid im- 
provement. At the time of his death, although only 
in the seventh year of liis ministry, he had gained a 
resj>ectable standing in the conference, and, had he lived, 
he bid fair to become a truly able iniuister of the New 
Testament. 

His piety, from first to last, was ardent and vigorous. 
He greatly loved the means of grace. His diary every- 
where indicates the spirit of deep devotion to the ser- 
vice of God, and earnest longings after the fullness of 
divine grace. The first New Year's eve after his con- 
version, was spent in attendance upon a watch-night, at 
the close of which, he contrasted his present with his 
past condition, thus: 

•' T^ast year closed up in idle speculation and in sin- 
fulness; this year ended on my knees in solemn prayer 
to God: then I was a poor wretch seeking pleasure, 
where I bad so often been disappointed ; now I have a 
hope which is sure and steadfast: then, wandering like 
the prodigal; now I am in my father's house.*' 

Some idea of his relish for the means of grace, in his 
early religious life, may he gathered from the following 
entry in bis diary. 

" Sunday, August 5, 1R32. This has been a delight- 
ful day. I have walked six miles, attended three class- 
es, heard two sermons, attended two sabbath schools, 
and a prayer meeting. I am so hoarse that I can not 
pray or sing very loud; but my soul is on full stretch 
for God's sanctifying grace." 

In the pulpit his zeal knew no bounds; he preached 
with the retributions of the eternal world before his 
eyes. He dwelt not so much on the terrors of the law, 
as upon the mercy of God, in Christ Jesus. AVhile en* 



PHILETUS GREEN. 143 

treating men to be reconciled to God, his soul was 
stirred within him, and he often wept freely. lie was of an 
ardent temperament, somewhat grave, and yet tolerably 
free in his intercourse with those around him. The fol- 
lowing extract from a letter addressed to one, who, 
though a professed skeptic, had just been led to feel 
deeply on the subject of religion, but who was re- 
lapsing into his former habits, may illustrate his fidelity 
in availing himself of every means of saving souls. 
The person addressed was about to engage in a business 
that was incompatible with the claims of Christianity. 

"Dear Sir: I have no other apology to make for ob- 
truding this letter upon your notice, than the honesty 
of my intention, and the purity of my motives. Think- 
ing that perhaps this well-meant endeavor of my pen 
might be more acceptable than those of my tongue, I 
beg your candid attention to a few thoughts. Our ac- 
quaintance has been short, and I write, anticipating 
that in a few weeks I shall leave the place, never again 

perhaps to see the face of Mr. , until we meet above 

at the judgment seat of Christ; for both you and myself 
will soon pass from the generation of the living, to that 
of the dead; but what will be the destinv of our think- 
ing, reasoning spirits? Will the}- be happy, or miserable? 
This is a question that has obtruded itself upon your 
thoughts, and will as long as you live, and will embitter 
and prison your happiness, long as you live in the neg- 
lect of religion, and do and say [that which you know 
to be wrong. 

" The question, what must I do to be saved? a few 
weeks ago agitated your mind, and I believe you then 
saw yourself to be a sinner. You read God's holy word; 
you prayed, and made solemn promises to God, that you 
would lead a Christian life, and no more poi'secute those 
that profess religion. You attended the house of God, 
and seemed to enjoy yourself there. Alas! dear sir, 



144 TROy CONFERENCE MI8CELL.\NV. 

what is there in prayer, in reading the scriptures, in 
the means of grace, or in our holy religion that caused 
you so soon to turn from the holy commandments ? Can 
you, as a reasonable man, find any fault with the com- 
mands of the Bible? If not, why did you turn back? 
"Was it to enter into your anticipated business without 
prayer, without God, and at the expense of the salva- 
tion of your soul? Pause and reflect for a moment; are 
you prepared to sell your soul, and dishonor God for a 
few dollars? Are you prepared to meet the conse- 
quences in another world, which will result from your 
present course ? Did you think tliat by leading a Christ- 
ian life you would become poor? Surely not, for religion 
does not prohibit any honest calling, which does no 
injury to yourself or others. An honest calling will 
have God's blessing upon it, and better is a crust of 
bread with heaven's approbation, than great riches and 
a curse with them. •••«•« 

'• Vou have a rising family, and the}' will doubtless 
copy the example of their father to a great extent ; and 
what if your example should lead them to forget God, 
ridicule religion, and plunge into dissipation. Will 
you not be responsible, in some measure, for their ruin? 
* * * Dear sir, in concluding this first and last 

letter to you, permit me to beg of you to pause ichere 
you are, and deeply consider the final consequences of 
abandoning the service of God. 

*'God has given you great light; you know your 
duty, and I entreat you to do it without delay. Betake 
yourself to earnest prayer. Beware of the society' of 
those that mock at sorrow for sin, and at sin itself. * * 

• One reason of my writing to you is, that you are 
generally so engaged in business that I could find no 
convenient opportunity of conversing with you on the 
subject. I hope I have written nothing that will offend 
you; for let me assure you that I entertain the kindest 



PHILETUS GREEN. 145 

feelings toward you, and can appeal to the Searcher of 
Hearts for the purity of my intention in what I have 
written." 

Before this letter reached the person to whom it was 
addressed, a fit of apoplexy brought him suddenly into 
the presence of his Judge. "Whoso readeth, let him 
understand." 

Mr. Green fell into one error which perhaps ought 
not to he concealed; it was the fatal error of his life; 
fatal so far as his earthly existence was concerned. He 
spoke " too Joud,'^ and doubtless died a victim to the inju- 
dicious use of his voice. Impelled on by a sincere zeal 
for the salvation of souls, he did not realize, until it 
was too late, that he was inflicting an irreparable in- 
jury upon himself. This circumstance is not named to 
cast a shade upon the character of this worthy man, 
but as a warning to others. His burning zeal was most 
commendable, but its manifestation was not according 
to physiological knowledge. From the commencement 
of his public labors he often alludes, in his journal, to 
his hoarseness and temporary loss of voice, though he 
seemed not to have understood those significant inti- 
mations of nature. On his dying bed he said, " I am 
a martyr to my own folly." What a host of clergymen; 
many of them choice spirits, men of energy and ac- 
tivity, have gone to an early grave or have been com- 
pelled to leave their calling from this cause. At a 
time of such unprecedented scarcity of preachers, the 
church can not afford to lose annually such numbers of 
her more most zealous and devoted men, ere they have 
arrived at the zenith of their ministerial career. De- 
fective views of what constitutes efiective speaking have 
had a share in this mischief. A noise though as loud as 
the roar of Niagara, if monotonous, will fail to be im- 
pressive, while it will not fail to impair the vocal organs. 



146 TROY coxn:uK\cE miscellany. 

Could the subjcLt ui im^ skeuii be consulted, he would 
doubtless be glad to have his dying regrets recorded, if 
they might be the means of saving to the church and 
the world but one ardent, devoted minister, that might 
otherwise fall a victim to bronchial disease, and con- 
sumption. 

God was with him in the 1uj>i conllict, and he was 
perfectly resigned and happy. When very near his 
end, his weeping companion said to him, *' My dear, 
you are going home to Jesus.*' lie- replied, " Yes, J am 
going to my home in heaven." Then bidding her adieu, 
he kissed his little daughter, looked upward, smiled, 
and entered into rest. 

About live years after, that daugliter joined her 
father in the Holy Land. The widow and only son, 
Philetus H., born a few days subsequent to Mr. Green's 
death, live to cherish the memory of a worthy husband 
and father. 



< *• » » 



ijKv. AMOS ]?. lupLirr. 

Of the birth and early history of Mr. Ripley, the writer 
knows nothing; and of his subsequent life he has 
been able to learn far less than is desirable. He was 
one of a class of thirteen who were received on trial 
by the Troy Conference at its session in Schenectady in 
1>S30, and was then about thirty-one years of age. His 
mind had for a len;;th of time been exercised upon the 
subject of the Christian ministry; but the views which 
he entertained of the greatness of the work, of its fear- 
ful responsibilities, and of his own insufficiency, led 
him to shrink from its performance, to the acknowledged 



AMOS R. RIPLEY. 147 

injury of his piety. After severe mental conflicts, he 
tremblingly yielded obedience to the divine claim, and 
the Master honored him with success in his ministry. 

His appointments were at Whiting in 1839, Esper- 
ance and Amsterdam in 1840, and Charlton and Galway 
in 1841. At tlie Conference of 1842, this last circuit 
was divided, and JNIr. Kipley was appointed to Charlton. 
On his way back from Burlington, w^here the conference 
was held that year, he was taken sick, and while the 
people of his charge were anxiously awaiting his re- 
turn, he passed to the rest that remaineth to the people 
of God. He died of lung fever at Pittsford, Vermont, 
on the seventeenth day of June, 1842. 

Mr. Ripley was a very promising young man. He 
was mild, amiable and meek in spirit, gentlemanly in 
his deportment, of a pleasant and thoughtful air, and 
very affectionate towards his friends. He is said by 
those who knew him well, to have been a good preacher 
for one of his age in the ministry. Enlightened and 
ardent piety invested him with her own adornments, 
and he was greatly beloved by the people. 

In his last sickness, Mr. Ripley was calm and resigned. 
He left with his physician and friends his dying testi- 
mony to the excellence of scriptural religion ; gave his 
last counsels to his family; bade them farewell and com- 
mended them to God; and then appeared to spend the 
remainder of his time in prayer for the success of the 
gospel in the earth. 

Thus did he pass peacefully and in the sunlight of 
the divine favor, through the valley to the New Jeru- 
salem. 



148 TROY CONFERENCE M1SCEI.L\NT. 



1?F.V. GILBERT Y. PALME1{. 

"God moves in a mysterious way." 

"NVhy tlic young man, who lias been made the subject 
of renewing grace; been called of God to the great 
work of the Christian ministry; prepared by gifts and 
grace for his work; has just learned to use '* the wea- 
pons of warfare;" just begun to give evidence that God 
is with him, should be cut off and consigned to the 
grave, when a world lying in wickedness so much needs 
his sanctifying labors, and while the profligate youth, 
the corrupter of others, is permitted to live on, is an 
unfathomable mystery of divine providence. Submis- 
sion says, ** It is the Lord; let him do what sccmeth 
him good." Faith says, " lli' lialh done all things 
well;" and yet the mystery remains unsolved. The 
case is in part, and only in part relieved by the consid- 
eration that our pious departed friends are still living, 
active and happy; moving in a higher and holier sphere; 
und possibly are as useful as when on earth. It is our 
painfully pleasing task to record the early deaths, one 
after another, of the messengers of peace; to place 
upon record a few brief mementoes of those whose 
lovely tempers and useful lives, endear them to their 
families, the church and the world. 

Gilbert Y. Palmer was born of respectable and pious 
parents in Wilmington, Essex county, N. Y., July 20th, 
IKll, and died at Pittsford, Vt., December 31st, 1842, 
in the '20lh year of his age. AVhen about sixteen years 
old he was brought, through the ordinary means of 
grace, to see his wretchedness as a sinner, and seek the 
forgiving mercy of God. lie obtained a sense of pardon 



GILBERT Y. PALMER. 149 

of sin when alone, and rejoiced in the clear witness of 
his acceptance with the Lord. His parents being mem* 
bers of the Baptist church, and strongly attached to that 
communion, were exceedingly opposed to his becoming 
a member of any other church. Though painful to him, 
such were his views of duty that he felt compelled to 
act contrary to the wishes of his friends, in compliance 
with what he believed to be the will of God. This he 
did by uniting with the Methodist Episcopal church, to 
the institutions of which he remained ardently attached 
until the close of his life. 

It was not long after his conversion thai his mind be- 
gan to be exercised in relation to the ministerial calling. 
His mental conflicts on that subject were exceedingly 
painful, and, to use his own language, " it was not 
until his feet had well nigh slipped," that he decided to 
devote his life to the sacred calling. He vras licensed 
to preach at Poultney, Vt., while a student at the Troy 
Conference Academy. In the summer of 1837 he was 
employed on the Fort Ann circuit, where he continued 
to the close of the ecclesiastical year. At the confer- 
ence of June, 1838, he Was received on trial, and ap- 
pointed to the Orwell and Benson circuit, as an assistant 
to Rev. P. P. narrower. In 1839 he was the junior 
colleague of Rev. Hiram Blanchard, on Bridport circuit, 
who says, " He was a man of sound judgment, disci*im- 
inating mind, undoubted integrity, gentlemanly deport- 
ment and unquestioned piety. As a minister of Christ, 
his abilities were above mediocrity. His subjects were 
well arranged, and forcibly delivered. On the whole, he 
was a strong man for one of his years — one of nature's 
noblemen." 

At the conference of 1840, he was received into full 

connection, and appointed to Ticonderoga as preacher 

in charge. Rev. E. Noble being his colleague. He re- 
12 



150 TROV CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

maincd there two years. He attended conference at 
Burlington, Vt., in 1812, where, after listening to a 
most affecting and appropriate ordination sermon by 
Rev. Charles Pitman, on " I have sent thee to bind up 
tile broken hearted," in company with N. B. Wood, J. 
Thompson, V. Brown, J. Scage, G. McKillips, J. Hall, 
B. 0. Meeker, T. Kirby and the writer of this article, 
he was ordained an elder in the church of God by the 
late Bishop lledding. Never will some of us forget the 
affecting solemnities of that hour. Little did brother 
Palmer think as he stood with us around that altar, that 
in a few short 'months he was to receive an honorable 
discharge from the obligations there assumed. Two of 
that number have finished their course with joy, and 
entered into rest. Kind Heaven help those of us who 
remain to maintain our integrity to the end, and join 
them in the upper sanctuary. 

Mr. Palmer's presiding elder, Rev. Truman Seymour, 
says, ** lie was an estimable, pious man, universally 
beloved. He had a fair education, was a good speaker 
and an able and popular preacher; one of the most pro- 
mising young men that I have ever known. Had he 
lived he would doubtless before this time have filled our 
most prominent appointments." 

From the time he entered the ministry until the Master 
called him home, he was emphatically a man of one worh^ 
having one object in vieic, viz: the salvation of souls. 
In all his pulpit efforts, and pastoral work, this leading 
object of his life was apparent. He was habitually 
cheerful and happy, as well as dignified and grave. The 
following is from the pen of Kev. S. D. Brown: 

" Soon after his removal to Pittsford, he was seized 
with an illness, which subsequently proved to be a 
disease of the spine, and assumed an alarming aspect. 
His disease increasing, his labors were necessarily 



GILBERT Y. PALMER. l51 

limited; yet he continued to preach as frequently as his 
strength would permit until a few weeks previous to his 
decease. His last sermon was preached at Pittsford on 
the first sabbath in December, and produced a deep, and, 
we trust, lasting impression; for all felt that he would 
soon cease to speak to them the words of life. About 
two weeks previous to his death, his disease assumed a 
new and more threatening appearance, and from this 
period he declined rapidly. During a portion of the 
time, his mental powers were deranged; but there were 
seasons when the light of reason shone, and at such 
seasons he possessed unshaken confidence in God, and 
enjoyed the consolation of the religion he had proclaimed 
to others. To a minister of the gospel who visited him 
on the sabbath evening preceding his departure, he said, 
*' I am prepared for either life or death." His suffer- 
ings were excruciating, yet he bore them with Christian 
fortitude and resignation, and died in the hope of a 
blissful immortality beyond the grave. 

Brother Palmer was truly a man of God. His talents as 
a preacher were above mediocrity, and a good degree of 
success attended his labors. Amiable in his disposition, 
kind and condescending in his spirit, devoted to his work, 
and faithful in the discharge of every duty, he secured 
the confidence and affection of those for whom he la- 
bored ; and one of the official members of his late charge 
remarked, upon the day of his interment, ' Bro. Palmer 
goes universally beloved and lamented.' His funeral 
was attended upon the first day of the new j^ear by a 
large circle of friends, whose sad countenances and fall- 
ing tears, evinced the deep emotion of their souls. And. 
to their praise be it spoken, while they have dropped 
the tear of anguish upon his tomb, they have extended 
the hand of kindness and Christian charity to his be- 
reaved widow, and the wants of herself and infant child 



152 TROY COMKKL.NCE MI8CELLANT. 

have been abundantly supplied. Our beloved brother 
b gone. His place in the itinerant ranks is vacant, 
lie sleeps witii his fathers, yet he still lives in the re- 
membrance of many who look back upon the hours 
spent in his society with gratitude and delight, and for- 
ward with the pleasing hope of rejoining their deceased 
brother and pastor in the climes of unclouded day." 



KEV. WILLIAM D. STEAD. 



BY REV. C. R. MORRIS. 



Brother Stead was the son of Rev. Henry Stead, who 
is now one of the most aged members of the Troy Con- 
ference. He was born in 1799, in the parish of Bray- 
ton, Yorkshire, England, and was brought to this coun- 
try by his parents, when onl}- three years of age. In 
his nineteenth year, while residing in Albany, he was 
convicted of his lost estate as a sinner, and sought and 
found the pearl of great price. Soon after his conver- 
sion, he felt it his duty to devote himself to the minis- 
try; but his sense of the greatness of the work, and his 
great diflidencc, caused him to delay yicldbig to his 
sense of duty for a number of years. 

He commenced his ministry in the thirty-first year of 
his age, on Saratoga circuit, under the direction of the 
presiding elder; By the quarterly conference of this 
circuit, he was, during the same year, recommended to 
the New York Conference, as a suitable person to bo 
received into the traveling connection. He was accord- 
ingly admitted on trial, in 1H32, and received an appoint- 
ment to Johnstown circuit. He labored successively on 



WILLIAM D. STEAD. 153 

Lansingburgh and Waterford, Pittstown, New Lebanon, 
Chatham, and Chester circuits, to all which, with the 
exception of the two places first named, he was reap- 
pointed the second year. Near the close of his labors 
on Chatham circuit, his health failed; but not appre- 
hending permanent illness, he received an appointment 
as an effective man, to Chester circuit. This was a 
laborious charge, requiring the energies of a strong, well 
man, and brother Stead, in his crippled state, found 
himself unequal to the task ; but he toiled on through 
the year with great inconvenience to himself, but, never- 
theless, to the great profit of the people whom he served. 
This was his most successful year. During the winter 
of this year, a blessed revival of the work of God took 
place in the village of Warrensburgh, where he resided. 
The exti'a exertions connected therewith, together with 
the care and anxieties occasioned by sickness in his 
family, induced an aggravated type of his disease, and 
doubtless hastened its fatal termination. In the month 
of August of the next year, he was compelled to relin- 
quish his public labors, and soon after was confined to 
his room, where he lingered and suffered until death 
closed the scene. He died January 6, 1844, in the forty- 
fifth year of his age, and the thirteenth of his ministry. 
The nature of the disease which terminated his career, 
was such as to occasion excruciating sufi'ering, which 
he bore with the fortitude of a martyr. His patient, 
cheerful and even buoyant temper of mind, blended, as 
it was, with a habitual religious feeling, gave to his 
friends the best assurances, that to him death was dis- 
armed of its terrors. Though his disease was lingering, 
yet his departure was sudden. A new type of his com- 
plaint developing itself, he was in a brief period hurried 
away from the scenes of life, yet during that short in- 
terval, he gave satisfactory tokens of his victory over 
the last enemy. 



154 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

Brother Stead was a plain man. He was ingenuous, 
kind, cheerful and sociable. lie had a heart full of rich, 
friendly iVeling, and he threw around him such a bland, 
pleasant influLiice, that he won the affections of those 
about him, and exerted a strong influence over them. 

As a preacher, though not brilliant, yet he had the 
elements of effectiveness. lie had the power of enrich- 
ing ordinary ideas b3'Jiis own warmth, his pathos and 
his manifestly deep interest in the welfare of the people. 
Success attended his labors from the commencement; 
but the last year of his effective ministry was the crown- 
mg one. lie fell on tlic field of battle, with his armor 
on. 



REV. DANIEL HOLMES. 

"In this wild world the fondest and the best, 

Are the most tried, most troubled and distressed." — Crabbe. 

Daniel Holmes was born in Newburgh, N. Y., on the 
24th day of August, ls02, and died in Lansiugburgh, 
N. Y., October 5, 1843. 

His parents were among the first Methodists of his 
native town. "When about thirteen years of age, he was 
awakened to a discovery of his condition as a sinner, 
under the ministrations of Rev. P. P. Sandford, and 
obtained an assurance of his acceptance with God, at 
a camp-meeting, held at Croton, in 1816. He united 
with the M. K. Church, under Rev. Heman Bangs, and 
gave early promise of usefulness. In 1826 or 1^27, ho 
married Miss Jane Flagler, of Newburgh, who died about 
•ix years after, leaving two children, who still live. 

Soon after his conversion, his mind was exercised on 
the subject of the Christian ministry. He did not, howev- 



DANIEL HOLMES. 



155 



er, enter upon the duties of the sacred calling, until about 
thirty years of age. He was received on trial, in the New 
York Conference, in 1832, and indue time admitted to full 
connection, and gi-aduated to elder's orders. His appoint- 
ments in that conference, were as follows: 1832, Mont- 
gomery; 1833, Catskill and Saugerties; 1834, West 
Point; 1835, Deposite; 1836, Coeymans. In the summer 
of 1836 he married Miss Lydia Chichester, daughter of 
Rev.Elijah Chichester, of Lansinghm-gh.* After spending 
five years in the N. York, he was transferred to the Troy 
Conference, in 1837, and appointed to Amsterdam. His 
next appointment was Watervliet. During his second 
year on that circuit, his health failed, and in 1840 he 
was compelled to take a supernumerary relation. 
From 1840, to the time of his death, he resided for the 
most part in Lansingburgh, never again being able to 
resume the active duties of the ministry. 

Mr. Holmes was a remarkably modest, unassuming 
man. He entertained a very humble estimate of his 
own character and abilities. In his business habits he 
was prompt and exact. He was ardently attached to 
his family. Had it been the will of God, he would have 
been pleased to have lived for their sakes, though, other- 
wise, he desired to depart. He was yery faithful in his 
attention to family religion. He is said, by those who 
knew him well, to have been a clear, sound, good preach- 
er. Rev. T. Spicer, who was intimately acquainted 
with him, says: "Brother Holmes was an excellent 
man, and an acceptable and useful preacher. He was 
very conscientious. Whatever might have been his 
views of himself, when laboring under a mind affected 
by disease, of which, no doubt, the enemy would take 
all possible advantage, those who knew him best, doubt- 
ed not, that from the time he first experienced religion, 

* This very excellent Christian lady is still living with her two 
sons, Charles Sherman and Daniel Landon, in Lansingburgh, N. Y. 



156 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

he was a deeply pious and devoted Christian. And wc 
doubt not he will be found among those who turn many 
to righteousness, and who will shine as the stars, for- 
ever and ever." 

During the latter part of his life, Mr. Holmes was 
most eniphatieally an abided man. His sufferings were 
peculiar, protracted and distressing. A state of extreme 
debility, brought on, in part, it is believed, by exces- 
sive depletion, subjected him to that train of mental 
and physical sufferings, which is attendant upon general 
and extensive derangement of the nervous S3'stem. His 
mind was affected to a degree amounting to partial in- 
sanity. Mental depression sometimes seemed to over- 
whelm him, leading him to doubt his religious experience ' 
and his call to the ministry, and imagine himself aban- 
doned of God. At such times, his distress of mind was 
almost insupportable. About a year before he died, 
God visited him in great mercy, subsequently to which, 
the power of unbelief was in a measure broken, and peace 
and comfort were enjoyed. Ever after, he delighted to 
tell what a deliverance God had wrought out for him. 
It is doubted, however, whether he was ever perfectly 
restored to soundness of mind. In view of these pecu- 
liar circumstances, it is a matter of devout thanksgiving, 
that the closing scene of his life was peaceful. The 
clouds and darkness that had gathered over his spiritual 
horizon cleared away, and the words of the prophet 
were happily exemplified: **At evening time, it shall be 
light." 

"Again there shall be light; 

At, after darksome day. 
Oft breaketh out ere fall of night 

A 8un-bright western ray; 

Light, as of heavenly dawn, 

Of Gotl's own hiiht, a ray; 
Light, earnest of a glorious tnorn, 

Pledge of an eudlest day." 



CHARLES SHERMAN. 157 



REV. CHARLES SHERMAN. 

" I regard it as an abundant reward of my labors, to know, that I 
live only to serve others.'- — Lutuer. 

Charles Sherman was born in Woodbury, Conn., 
October 20, 1803. It was his unspeakable blessedness, 
to be born of parents who were eminently pious. 

His father, Mr. Elijah Sherman, was born in New 
Milford. February 24, 1754. In early life he removed 
to Woodbury, Conn., at which place he resided until 
January 5, 1844, when he departed this life in the nine- 
tieth year of his age. He was a man of sound mind 
and sterling character. In the course of his useful life, 
he held various offices in his town , which he several 
times represented in the General Assembly, much to 
the credit of his constituents, and the state in general; 
originating and defending with success certain bills for 
the relief of the poor. The third Methodist sermon 
ever preached in Woodbury, resulted in his conversion. 
He was then forty 3-ears old, and the remaining Jifty 
years of his life, he was a firm, active, intelligent and 
liberal member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
His house was for a number of years, in some sense, 
both a church and a parsonage ; where many an itinerant 
held forth the word of life, and found a cordial welcome 
to the fireside. For many years he was a faithful class- 
leader, and he often went into adjoining towns to hold 
religious meetings. He was greatly devoted to family 
religion. Honoring God with his substance, he was 
prospered of the Lord. He exemplified St. James' 
"pure religion" to an extent that but few do. The 
weary and destitute were often directed to his residence 



ISS TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

as the well known place, from which none were sent 
empty away. It was his custom on Fridays to fast in 
the morning, and tlistributc to the poor in the afternoon. 
When, in his extreme old age, his faculties were so im- 
paired that he could not recognize his own children, he 
still talked to edification on religious subjects. Such 
was the father of Rev. C. Sherman. The prototype of 
the prominent virtues of the son, were exhibited in the 
father. 

His mother was a woman of distinguished piety. It 
was her earnest and expressed desire that God would 
convert her youngest son, Charles, and put him into the 
ministry. This desire, however, she did not live to see 
fulfilled. "When he was about fifteen years of age, and 
about two years previous to his conversion to Christ, ho 
was called to follow his devoted mother to the tomb. 

The religious influences associated with the endear- 
ments of parental affection, and the home of his child- 
hood, were not lost upon him. One who attended the 
weekly prayer meetings at his father's house, and saw 
little Charley there, not always more grave than other 
children, might not have supposed that any very salu- 
tary influence was being exerted upon his mind. IIow 
surprised might such an one have been to hear him in 
his mature years describing those scenes, telling how 
he used to sit in the chimney comer of the old farm 
house and hear them sing. 

" Salvation ! the joyful sound," ^. 
and how happy he then felt, though a child, and un- 
converted. Often while relating these circumstances, 
at love-feasts and elsewhere, has his soul kindled with 
the holy fire of grateful love, and with streaming eyes, 
has ho praised God, for the parental piety and family 
religion that dwelt in his childhuod's home. Every 
parent should know, for his cucjuragemcut, that it is a 



CHARLES SHERMAN. 159 

law of our nature that these early associations and im- 
pressions become more endeared and influential with 
the lapse of years; that the seeds dropped upon the vir- 
gin soil of the infant and youthful mind grow with our 
growth, and mature with advancing age. The un- 
thinking observer might have set a light estimate upon 
the eagerness with which that boy watched for the 
coming of the messengers of Christ, at the time of their 
periodical visits, and the delight with which he performed 
the humble office of a groom, inbehalf of these servants 
of mankind; but may we not here discover the early 
dawn of that delight in serving the church, especially 
the ministry, for which he was so remarkable in after 
life. The hallowed associations of home were cherished 
with great strength of affection by the subject of this 
sketch. He greatly revered the memory of liis mother, 
and often alluded to her vrith heart-felt interest. 

In the seventeenth year of his age, he made a public 
profession of religion, and became a member of that 
branch of the visible church in the communion and 
ministry of which he died. In the latter part of the 
year 1823, although but twenty years of age, he was 
licensed as a local preacher, which relation to the 
church he held for several years. Rev. L. A. Sandford, 
who I believe resided near him in those days, says, " I 
never saw the man that was more deeply pious than he 
seemed to be at that time. He was then regarded as much 
more than an ordinary preacher." Rev. Dr. S. Luckey, 
referring to this period of his life, says, " He was val- 
ued for his worth and promise by all classes and de- 
nominations. He was intelligent, lovelj^, pious and la- 
borious; and appreciated in an uncommon degree the 
importance of the ministerial work." While a young 
local preacher, other denominations manifested their 
estimation of him by inviting him to their pulpits. 



169 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

While yet in the local ranks he was ordained to the office 
of a deacon. Soon after Mr. Sherman commenced his 
public labors, the Rev. Samuel Merwin predicted that 
he would " become a star of the first magnitude." 

In 1830 he was received into the traveling connection 
by the New York Annual Conference, and appointed to 
Stratford circuit, Connecticut, where he remained two 
years. Notwithstanding tlie general truth that *' a pro- 
phet hath no honor in his own country," Mr. Sherman's 
first appointment was to the same circuit that recom- 
mended hhn to the conference; and after he had spent 
two years there, the people parted with him regretting 
that the order of the church limited the term of min- 
isterial service to so short a period. His next two 
years were spent on Burlington circuit, Coim. His 
third appointment was to Division street, Albany, ho 
being transferred that year (1834) to the Troy Confer- 
ence. The appointment of so young a minister to so 
important a charge was as unexpected to the church in 
Albany as to him. They having anticipated that a cer- 
tain distinguished preacher, who has also gone to his 
reward, would be sent to them. Some solicitude was at 
fir^ felt, and the inquir}' was made, " Who is Charles 
Sherman?" This question was soon answered most 
satisfactorily; they found him to be a man of God, an 
able minister of the New Testament, a wise and indefati- 
gable laborer in the vineyard of the Lord. He was 
greatly beloved by the people, and his labors were 
crowned with success. In 1836 he was appointed to 
North Second street, Troy, where he also labored with 
distinguished ability and success. The language of a 
leading official member of that church to the writer 
may serve as an index to the estimation in which he is 
there held. On asking him what he could tell me about 
brother Sherman he exclaimed, " dear, dear, dear! 



I 



CHARLES SHERMAN. 161 

there never was such another man in this world! you 
just ask Jesse Anthony! 

At the conference of 1838, having been only eight 
years in the traveling connection, he was appointed pre- 
siding elder of Albany district, by Bishop Morris. The 
duties of this office he discharged with singular ability, 
for the term of four years. These were doubtless the 
most useful years of his life. 

* That large district gave fine scope for the exercise of 
his uncommon talents. He passed from appointment 
to appointment, laboring beyond his power of endurance, 
inspiring, every where, among preachers and people, the 
spirit of animated and determined aggressive warfare 
upon the kingdom of darkness. Revivals of religion 
spread and prevailed over the district as they probably 
never had before. During those four years there was 
an increase, over and above all losses by deaths and 
otherwise, of sevc7i hundred and forty members. While 
a presiding elder, an extensive correspondence was one 
of the means by which he promoted the work of God. 
The following letter, written to a leading member of the 
church in Glove rsville during the first year of his pre- 
siding eldership, indicates the spirit of the man. 

*' Schenectady, Jan. 15, 1839. 
"Dear Bro. Ward: After service in Johnstown, I 
rode to Palatine and preached on sabbath evening. The 
people there are blessed with a gracious visitation by the 
good Spirit of all grace; a number have been brought 
into the kingdom, several of much interest and promise 
I returned last evening much fatigued and a little ill. 
The post office, faithful to its functions, brings me addi- 
tional calls for service. Well, the motto is a good one, 
' Labor here and rest in heaven.' The sentiment of 

the philosopher, though it may appear sage, is in my 
13 



162 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

estimation a very cold one, viz : ' There is time enough 
to rest in Xhv prave.' How much more inspiring that 
of our holy nligion, • Time enougli to rest in heaven.' 
Blessed be the Redeemer ! labor and toil, anxiety and 
care are sweetened by the presence of God, the luxury 
of doing good, the interest of Christian friends and 
friendsliip, and the hope of the better country, where is 
the Christian's inheritance. Should we not rejoice in 
that feature of the gracious economy of God that re- 
cognizes the law of human instrumentality, in the en- 
terprise of man's salvation? Is it not a privilege to 
work in such a department of effort! 

•• Rut I am reminded that I took my seat to answer 
« • • « 

Yours, in Cliristian love, 

Charles Shkrman." 

The following characteristic letter to his brother Sam- 
uel, cannot fail to be read with interest: 

•'Schenectady, Feb. 12., a. d. 1840. 
*' Dear Brother : In the midst of multiplied and multi- 
plying cares, I take m3' seat to address you a few lines. 
TN'hile I do so, my mind tunis upon the associations of 
by-gone years, and affect ingly fixes upon some of the 
changes that have marked the lapse of time. The 
hand of time has passed over the connectives of my 
childhood and youth, and scenes of the past live only 
in the fond interest of grateful recollection. IIow 
afflictively, yet instructively fleeting is every thing in 
the wide empire of mutation. Are not the changes that 
in our retrospection rise to our view, faithful mementoes 
of the frailty of life, and of the instability of this 
world? The character of the rhetoric is distinguish- 
ing; but the lessons arc not weakened, but I think ren- 
dered more efficient, by the mode of address. The 



CHARLES SHERMAN. 16S 

book of providence, as well as of scripture, is opened 
before us, and the hand- writing of our God in varied 
oratory brings home to our minds and hearts monitions 
and instructions, numerous and impressive. I survey 
the spectacle of change in the family of our aged father 
with deep and strong emotions. Several of the child- 
ren dead! others scattered! our mother dead! and 
father, aged and feeble, and at present the only member 
of the former family that inhabits the paternal residence? 
How soon does time bring a twilight over the brightest 
scenes, and enshroud vs'ith a kind of gloominess the lo- 
calities of earth's loveliest associations. Well, we are 
but strangers and pilgrims in this world. 

The letter you had the kindness to write me, which 
brought the inspiring tidings of the divine mercy in your 
conversion, gave me much joy, and kindled fresh grati- 
tude in my heart to Him from whom all good proceedeth. 
It tended, happily, to increase my conviction of the 
availing influence of faithful prayer; and as we were 
at that time holding a continuous meeting, in my charge 
at Troy, I felt much blessed in mentioning the circum- 
stance, in connection with some history of our father's 
family, as an encouragement to Christians to pray for 
the conversion of their relatives. The season, I remem- 
ber, as having been one of special interest to the people. 

Our indebtedness to God, for the blessing of Christian 
parents, impresses me much more than formerly. Their 
prayers, with the legacy of their pious example, I prize 
above all earthly price. When I was last in Woodbury, I 
visited the grave yard, where lie entombed the remains of 
a number of our friends. I thought of the observation that 
I once heard father make, viz : that " he had been to visit 
that part of the family that was under ground." The re- 
miniscences of our departed mother, her maternal tender- 
ness, her sweetness of disposition, her life of piety, her 



164 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

numerons prayers for us, prayers now on file before the 
throne, hrr peaceful and triunipliant death, all inspiringly 
moved my heart; and frequently, when far away from 
the sepulchral place, when winding my way along the 
vales, or climbing the hills in quest of souls, the reflec- 
tions pertaining to our departed mother, have filled my 
eyes with tears, and inspired my heart with fresh desires 
to meet her, where separating death will divide no 
more. 

My solicitude to see father, once more in the flesh, 
has been and is very strong. When brother Elijah and 
his wife were here, in the fall, I had some thought of 
going to Connecticut before the winter; but the amount 
of business pressing upon me, together with the fact 
that I have to leave for Baltimore city, in the latter 
part of April, rendered it exceedingly difticult for me to 
be absent long enough to make the desired vist. I have 
80 much feared that an intervening providence might 
prevent my seeing father, the coming spring, that I 
have almost regretted that I did not break away, and 
make the visit in the fall. I hope and pray, that it may 
please the Arbiter of our life, to favor me with seeing 
him once more, this side of the house appointed for all 
living. Brother Elijali promised to write, immediately 
on any seriously unfavorable change in his liealtli: and 
not having received any letter, I conclude that he re- 
mains about as usual. 

You may wish to know something of my field of 
labor. The eastern boundary of the Albany district is 
the Hudson river. Embraced in my district is the larg- 
est part of Albany county, the whole of Schenectady, 
and the major part of Schoharie, Montgomery, Fulton, 
Saratoga and Herkimer counties. There are nineteen 
charges, and between six and seven thousand church 
members, and between thirty and forty traveling 



CHARLES SHERMAN. 165 

preachers. There have been, up to this time, this con- 
ference year, several hundred conversions; and in seve- 
ral places the work is now progressing in a blessed man- 
ner. A meeting in our church, in this city, has just 
closed, during which it is judged that more than one 
hundred have been converted. The preachers in my 
charge are at work with great diligence and fidelity, and 
we are looking for very extended achievements of God's 
mercy among the people. The care, responsibility and 
labor, are heavy indeed. I often feel depressed by the 
weight, but endeavor to trust in Him whose strength is 
made perfect in weakness. Most of the winter has been 
severe, and the traveling has been seriously obstructed 
by the great amount of snow. My exposure has been 
more than ordinary, and my health somewhat impaired. 
For a fortnight past, I have been considerably ill, but 
am, at present, improving. God gives me a love to 
precious souls, the dear-bought purchase of a Redeem- 
er's blood; and he blesses me in the work assigned, and 
hence I am fully reconciled to my lot. Is it not a spi- 
ritual luxury, to labor with God's blessing in his vine- 
yard ? 

The pecuniary embarrassment, in all this region, is 
severe and depressing. This bears upon the preachers 
somewhat closely; for, in^the flow of pecuniary pros- 
perity in the community, Methodist ministers may say 
with emphasis, as did Whitefield, 'Ours is & poor trade, 
but a glorious calling.^ 

Remember us afifectionately. * * You will please 
have the goodness to inform father definitely, of our de- 
sign to come and see him in April. * * * 

Yours, affectionately, 

Charles Sherman." 

The earnest desire, expressed in the above letter, to 
see his father once more in the flesh, was gratified. That 



166 TROY CONFKRENCE MISCELLANY. 

father, however, liad then reached the advanced age of 
some eighty-five or six years; and his mind so far sym- 
patliizcd with his body, that lie was unable to recognize 
his own children. While on this visit to Woodbury, Mr. 
Sherman preached at the church near his father's house. 
At the close of the service, his father approached the 
preacher, not knowing that it was his own honored son, 
and with his accustomed simplicity and cordiality, said: 
" Bruthcr, will you go home with us? We sometimes 
entertain the preachers;"' thus showing, that although 
he had forgotten his own children, he was " not forget- 
ful to entertain strangers." That father and son were 
destined soon, within a fow weeks of each other, to 
pass to a world where the infirmities of age will never 
blunt or becloud the faculties of the soul. 

His brethren gave evidence of their estimate of Mr. 
Sherman, by electing him to the General Conference, of 
1840. 

Though possessing a strong physical constitution, his 
cares and toils on Albany district proved too much for 
him, and his health became seriously impaired, during 
the last year of his term of service. The following ex- 
tract, from a letter to the writer, throws some light on 
this subject. 

"Albany, Feb. 7, a. d. 1842. 

♦* Dlar Biio. Parks: * ♦ ♦ ♦ My health has 
been very seriously impaired, as I suppose you have 
been advised. Some amendment, I thought, had been 
realized for a time; but for some days past I have rath- 
er seriously relapsed, so much so, as to be kept from my 
appointments on the sabbath. This day I have been to 
Doctors McNaughton and Hun, professors in the Medical 
College, and have submitted to an examination. My com- 
plaint is hypertrophy and dilatation of the heart. This is 
a serious matter, and the issue we can not tell. With great 



CHARLES SHERMAN. 167 

care, moderation and depletion, there is hope that, with 
the blessing of God, it may not speedily increase, and 
that I may so far recover as to enjoy comfortable health, 
and be able to do a little. This I deeply desire. May the 
good Lord help and give his blessing. May I share your 
prayers to Him whose we are, and whom we serve, that 
his blessing, without which no good cometh, may be given. 

Affectionately, yours, 

Charles Sherman." 

At the close of his term on Albany district, it was 
found indispensable, that a light field of labor, if any, 
should be assigned him ; and, agreeably to his own incli- 
nation, he was appointed to Jonesville, a delightful little 
country station, in Saratoga count3^ A year spent in 
this quiet retreat, though not without its toils and re- 
sponsibilities, brought him to the conference of 1843, in 
an improved, though by no means sound, state of health. 
Peculiar circumstances in the condition of the church in 
North Second street, in Troy, were made the basis of a 
strong effort, to secure his reappointment to that charge. 
This was remonstrated against, not only by the brethren 
of Jonesville, but also by others, as being dangerous to 
his health and life. One of the bishop's council said, at 
the time, " If you send that man to North Second street, 
he will never leave it alive." Unhappily for the church, 
the prediction was literally fulfilled. The special inte- 
rest that he felt for that people, with whom he had pre- 
viously labored with so much harmony and success, led 
him to enter upon his duties among them with even 
more than his wonted zeal. The internal difficulties 
then existing took hold upon his soul, and the result is 
too well known. After about nine months of hard serv- 
ice, he sickened and died. The following account of his 
death, is from the pen of Eev. T. Spicer: 

*' About the first of February, he took a severe cold 



168 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

by being exposed after preaching in the crening. But 
notwitlistanding a violent liead-ache and other symptoms 
of insidious disease, he suffered liimselfto be urged on 
by his accumulated duties to the performance of severe 
mental and physical labors until the sixteenth day of 
February, when he was obliged to be confined to his 
room. Medical aid was called in, and it was found he 
had quite a degree of inflammation on the brain; how- 
ever, in a few days the disease seemed to yield in some 
measure, so that hopes of a favorable result were en- 
tertained, unless his old complaint of affection of the 
heart, should interfere, which was greatly feared. Al- 
though he grew weaker, yet there were many favorable 
symptoms in his case, and hopes were entertained until 
the 8th of March, when a sudden incursion of ijiflam- 
matiou of the lungs took place, inluced no doubt by 
the disease of the heart, which caused him to sink very 
rapidly. After this he survived only two days. An 
investigation held subsequent to his death, showed to 
be true what his physicians all along had supposed to 
be the case, that his heart was alfccted. 

** Every thing was done that the kindness of friends 
and the skill of physicians could do. If the solicitude, 
prayers, and tears of his brethren could have saved 
him, our brother had not died; but it was the will of 
his heavenly Father that he should now finish his course 
and enter into his eternal rest. 

*' During his whole sickness his mind was calm and 
peaceful. His only anxiety was respecting the church 
of which he had the charge. For some time he tould 
hardly submit to the idea of being laid aside by sickness, 
when the church, just at that time, seemed to need liis 
services so much. Several friends inquired of him 
whether he felt ready to die, to which he always gave 
an answer, with cheerfulness, which seemed full of faith 



I 



CHARLES SHERMAN. 169 

and hope, that he was ready. But he often expressed a 
desire to live that he might bring more sinners to Christ. 
He became very much weakened before his death, so 
that it was difficult for him to converse much; but 
whatever he said indicated his strong trust in God, and 
love to the Saviour and his cause." He died on Sunday 
morning, March 10, 1844, in the forty first year of his 
age. As in the case of Stephen, " devout men carried 
him to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.'* 
With deep emotion and many tears, preachers and peo- 
ple encircled his remains, and attended his funeral rites. 

In attempting to sketch the character of Rev. Charles 
Sherman, the writer has an embarrassing sense of his 
inadequacy to do justice to his memory, or meet the 
reasonable expectation of his numerous friends. 

In his personal appearance, Mr. Sherman was large, 
corpulent, and of a light complexion. He avoided the ex- 
tremes, of fastidiousness and slovenliness, in his attiret 
His appearance and bearing were decidedly dignified 
and gentlemanly. 

Although altogether above mediocrity intellectually, 
nevertheless, intellectual strength was not his most pro- 
minent trait of character. He had an enlargement of the 
heart in more senses than one. Bunyan would have 
named him Mr. Greatheart; and none who knew him 
would hesitate to place him in the front rank of " na- 
ture's noblemen." There was a greatness of soul, a 
depth and enlargednessof sympathy, that was altogether 
extraordinary; and that seemed to grasp the whole race 
in all its interests for both worlds, and yet leave ample 
room in his capacious heart for a special regard for his nu- 
merous friends, and favorite enterprises. The following 
verse was a great favorite with him. Its sentiments 
happily harmonize with the expansive benevolence of 
his heart. 



170 TROY COXKKRENCK MISCELLANY. 

" O that tiie wiiKLi) might taste and see 

The riches of his grace ; 
The arms of love that eompass ine, 

Would ALL MANKIND embrace." 

The writer never knew the man that was more ardently 
and universally beloved than Charles Sherman. His un- 
affected and deep interest in the welfare of all around him, 
gave him this position in their iiearts. Not a How looked 
upon him as their s/)CCiV// friend, and could hardly believe 
that many others had a similar place in his regards. The 
pious, generous impulses of his soul were not contined to 
any one channel or form of manifestation, but vented 
themselves tlirough every available outlet. No one class 
of ministerial duties occupied his attention, to the neglect 
of others. Ilis character and habits were based upon en- 
lightened, comprehensive, and well-balanced views of 
Christian and ministerial obligations. No one striking 
excellence stood out in bold relief, made prominent by 
contrast with concomitant defects. As, in a magnificent 
building, the just proportions and grandeur of the whole, 
are what the beholder admires, rather than individual 
beauties, so in contemplating the subject of this sketch, 
it is not so much single excellencies as the symmetrical 
and full development of Christian character, that raises 
our admiration. The colors of the sun's rays appear 
less gaudy and striking when, blended iji just propor- 
tions, they present the pure white light, than when sep- 
arated by the prism; and yet for practical purposes, 
the Creator saw it best thus to combine them. So were 
the Christian graces blended in the character of the sub- 
ject of this memoir. 

Liberality was in some sense hereditary with Mr. 
Sherman. His father not only set his family a most 
striking example of this virtue, he also early and dil- 



CHARLES SHEKMAN. 17 1 

igcntly inculcated it upon them. He supplied them 
with money for public collections and benevolent pur- 
poses, and thus gave them early to taste of the luxury 
of doing good. Mr. Sherman used to refer, in after life, 
to the pleasure it gave him when a boy to contribute to 
the quarterly and other collections, and he frequently 
exhorted Christian parents to accustom their children to 
the early exercise of beneficence. He was liberal, both 
from a sense of duty and also from the love of it. He 
enjoyed giving. This was apparent even in little things. 
Having been presented with a pail of cherries, and hav- 
ing occasion to call on two or three families on his way 
home, he could not resist the temptation to divide them 
repeatedly, until they were nearly all gone. He has 
been known, after carefully cultivating a bed of melons 
until they were ripe, to call the boys of a neighboring 
academy from their play in the street and give them 
some of the finest of them. An old man dies in extreme 
poverty some distance from his residence, and Mr. 
Sherman is on hand to order a coffin on his own respon- 
sibility. Again, he and a friend are buying each of 
them a quarter of beef, one quarter remains unsold. 
" I don't know what I shall do with the other quarter," 
says the owner, as he is about to drive ofi*. " I guess" 
says Mr. Sherman, turningto his friend, " we had better 

send it to sister ," naming one of the Lord's poor 

that lived in a back street of the city. Jointly they 
pay for the quarter, and it is duly delivered to the in- 
digent sister. He has been known to assist the preach- 
ers on his district in their temporalities, when really 
embarrassed himself. It is doubtful whether his purse 
had any strings. If it had, they must have been broJcen. 
Before me lies a letter in which he urges the pastor of 
one of the churches, to push forward the work of build- 
ing a lecture-room, and among other encouragements 



172 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

he offLTs to increase his own subscription, rather than 
that the work sliould not go on. When liis resourtes 
faihd, liis habit was, to draw by his inlluence upon the 
means of others. The following is a specimen of his 
drafts upon the deposits of his wealthier brethren. 

** Schenectady, June — ,18 — " 
••Bug. W: — Dear Sir, • ♦ * One thing more; 

give ray respects to brother E . If I do not mistake 

I licard him tell about having a good deal of hay that 
he would have to summer over. Now let me suggest, 

brother is poor, and if brother E will bring a 

little of his surplus hay to brother 's barn, I think 

it would be well. Brother P is also a farmer I 

believe; just suggest to him to remember brother 

a little on his arrival. A little of this just at the first, 
would not be amiss from two or three of the brethren 
who have farms. ♦ ♦ • Respectfully yours, 

Chas. Sherman." 

Cheerfulness was a marked trait in the character of 
Mr. Sherman. More than this, he laughed often and 
lieartily, and the writer believes with a good conscience. 
If the demure look of the nun, or the "sad counte- 
nance " of the Pharisee is essential to godliness, then he 
was not a man of God. It is somewhat diflicult to convey 
precisely the true idea of his character in this respect. 
His pleasantry was seldom if ever untimely, or such 
as to dissipate religious feeling. There was a peculiar 
blen<ling of cheerfulness with seriousness in his spirit 
and deportment. Sunshine and rain at the same time, 
incongruous as they may seem, liave something attract- 
ive about them. So his pleasantry ordinarily added 
to, rather than detracted from, the influence of his 
piety. He combined and embodied this two-fold spirit 
in a singularly happy manner, when, with his peculiar 



CHARLES SHERMAN. 173 

grip, he said as no one else could, *' Be good and 
clever." While a playfulness, like the dancing of the 
sunbeams upon the water, was apparent on the surface 
of his feelings, at the same time, the intonations of his 
voice bespoke the deep-toned religious affections of his 
soul. 

Asa preacher, Mr. Sherman was peculiar, and yet not 
eccentric in the ordinary acceptation of that term. In 
the pulpit he was what every man ought to be — himself. 
His sermons were rich in evangelical thought. He did 
not ordinarily confine himself to one specific topic. His 
discourses, at least after he was appointed to the super- 
vision of a district, were presiding elder sermons. 
They embraced a considerable range of thought, and, 
although seldom wearisome, generally exceeded the 
ordinary length. There was, indeed, a sense in which 
they were sometimes wearisome. A preacher, of over 
twenty years' standing in the ministry, remarked to the 
writer, that, after listening to him on one occasion for 
more than tvv^o hours, so intense had been his interest 
in the sermon, and such had been his effort to grasp 
and remember the whole in its proper connections, that 
at the close of the service he found himself more ex- 
hausted than he ordinarily did after preaching three 
times on the same day. There was a naturalness about 
his arrangement, which might have led some to regard 
his pulpit preparations as wanting in method. The 
entire absence of any apparent effort to shine marked 
all his pulpit performances. The declaration of the 
apostle, " We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus 
the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake," 
was emphatically applicable to Mr. Sherman. He had 
an uncommon command of language, and used espe- 
cially the qualifying terms of our tongue as but few 
could. His skill in the use of language was not em- 
14 



174 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

ployed SO much to give grace as force to wliat he said. 
" Ho united," says Rev. T. Spicer, " the dignity of 
niaidy eloquence with remarkable simplicity and tend- 
erness." One of the most striking characteristics of 
bis preaching was his puthos. His hearers felt them- 
selves to be in contact with a great benevolent soul that 
vxis laboring for their good. The same tender emotions 
were manifested when he spoke of the terrors of the 
law, as when he dwelt upon the riches of grace. 
Longinus, in referring to the effects of the speaking of 
Cicero and Demosthenes, says that the people went 
from hearing Cicero's orations, exclaiming, " What a 
beautiful speaker! what a fine voice! what an eloquent 
man Cicero is! but when they heard Demosthenes, they 
lost sight of the speaker, and cried out, *' Let us fight 
Philip!"' Thus with ^^r. Sherman's hearers, they went 
from listening to him impressed with the subject. The 
preacher was lost sight of iii the magnitude of redeem- 
ing mercy, and the vastness of the soul's interests. 

He was not always equally free, and clear, and 
happy in his pulpit efforts. When he was trammeled, 
and his language seemed labored, and he imagined that 
the desired results were not likely to be reached, his reso- 
lute will exerted itself to the utmost, and he presented 
the spectacle of a giant in chains, struggling for freedom. 
If in such a case he succeeded in gaining deliverance, it 
was like the breaking away of a dam by the accumulated 
force of the superincumbent waters, and a flood of living 
truth and overwhelming eloquence was poured around. 

Mr. Sherman did not study and preach, as is some- 
times done, at the expense of his pastoral work. He 
was a faithful shepherd of the flock of Clirist. Few 
men surpassed him in the amount of pastoral visiting 
performed, very few equaled him in its efllctiveness. 
The poor as well as the rich shared his visits and sym- 



/ 



CHARLES SHERMAN. 



175 



patliies. It was his custom in some of his appointments 
to call at every house, irrespective of denominational 
alliances. He had a peculiar faculty for becoming ac- 
quainted with everybody and of making himself at home 
in every class of society. lie did not think it beneath 
his dignity to notice the children in his pastoral visits, 
and he had a tact for interesting them in his conversa- 
tion. He was accustomed to inquire of them about the 
sermon of the preceding sabbath. The text and heads 
of discourse were often made a topic of conversation on 
such occasions. May not Christian parents derive a 
useful hint from him in this particular? How much 
the interest and profit of the young in the ministrations 
of the sabbath might be increased in this way ; and the 
sermons, by becoming a subject of subsequent conver- 
sation, would be more fully remembered by both parents 
and children, while false impressions as to the meaning 
of the preacher might thus be corrected. Mr. Sherman 
also frequently suggested passages of scripture to be- 
committed to memory by the young, and on a subse- 
quent visit recited to him. 

He was a man of pi'ayer. Had he not been, other 
traits of character to which allusion has been made, 
could never have been possessed. His correspondence, 
which was very extensive, and one of his means of 
usefulness, abounds with such expressions as these: 
*' The Good Being guide and bless you;" "Heaven 
help ;" " The Merciful Being guide and send prosperity." 
Similar expressions were of frequent occurrence in his 
religious conversations. On leaving the conference 
room, when transferred to the Troy Conference and 
appointed to Albany, he said to a good brother, with 
an earnestness not to be forgotten, " Brother Osborn, 
pray for me." In 1840, the writer was stationed in 
Albany, Mr. Sherman being at the time presiding elder 



176 



TROY CONKKRKNCK MISCKLLANY. 



of the district. My study was in a central part of the 
city, and so located as to be accessible from the street 
witho!it interfering with the family in which I then 
boarded. His official relation to the churches called 
him to spend considerable time in the city, and he found 
my room a convenient place of retirement during the 
day. There, while I hav^e been pursuing my studies, 
he has often been upon his knees in prayer. Sometimes 
I have joined with liini and at others left him alone with 
his God. Sometimes he has said to me, familiarly, 
"Now, brother, you go and visit your people , and leave mo 
alone." Next to the intercessions of Christ, what could 
be more encouraging to a young preacher than to know 
that his superior in olfice was closeted with his God, 
imploring the divine blessing upon the pastors and 
churches under his charge? 

His public prayers will long be remembered by many 
with lively interest. There was a peculiarity about 
them not easily described. He prayed to God, not to 
his congregation. They were the outgushings of a soul 
deeply sympathizing with his congregation, and accus- 
tomed to talk with God. He sometimes used some of 
the finest passages of the "liturgy" in a way that 
made that old ** form of sound words " seem to have 
experienced a resurrection from the dead. "With a soul 
enraptured by the joys of communion with God, and a 
voice trembling and yet invigorated by intensity of 
emotion, he has been heard to exclaim, " Glory be to 
the Father, and to the Son. and to the HOLY GHOST; 
as it was in the beginnins;, is now, and EVER SHALL 
BE, world withriut end." There was an originality, a 
vivacity, and pathos in his prayers which it is vain to 
attempt to transfer to paper. He seemed to take his 
congregation with him and go up as it were before the 
mercy scat, and as a prince to prevail with God. 



CHARLES SHERMAW. 177 

Gratitude to God shone brightly in the constellation 
of graces that adorned his character. His prayers 
abounded in thanksgiving. A multitude of mercies 
were gratefully remembered before God, of which most 
Christians seem to take no notice. So also his conver- 
sation abounded in thankful acknowledgments of the 
hand of God. As he rode past the fields of ripening 
grain, and the trees, bending beneath their load of lus- 
cious fruit, though he had no personal interest in them, 
he often blessed the name of him who " crowneth the 
year with goodness," as many of the owners of those 
products never thought to do. 

Without disparagement to others who have filled that 
office with dignity and usefulness, the writer has no 
hesitancy in saying that, taken all in all, Mr. Sherman 
approached the nearest to his beau ideal of a, presiding 
elder, of any man within the range of his acquaintance. 
Entirely irrespective of the merits of the discussions 
relative to the presiding elder question, it may be safely 
affirmed that had all who have held that office been such 
men as Charles Sherman, those discussions would never 
have originated. In a variety of respects he seemed 
peculiarly adapted to that office. By his preaching, 
piety, and tact in managing religious services, his quar- 
terly meetings were rendered seasons of great interest 
and profit. His concern for the well-being of the 
preachers on his district was intense, and extended to 
everything great and small. While he cheered them on 
to deeds of valor in the moral battle field, he watched 
over their health and cautioned them against needless 
exposure. In their temporal sacrifices and embarrass- 
ments he rendered them all the help in his power. In 
their perplexities and trials he gave them counsel and 
encouragement. Toward the young'preachers, especially, 
he felt and acted as a father. A pile of letters lies be- 



178 TROT CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

foro mc, consisting in part of wliole sheets of foolscap, 
filled with wise counsels, judicious cautions, and in- 
spiring and afTectionate expressions of interest in the 
work of God. Did I not believe that the following 
brii'f extracts from two of them would be accept- 
abh* to the reader, they would not be given. My limits 
forbid more extended extracts. 

♦♦Schenectady, Oct. 14, 1841. 

*♦ Bro. Parks: • ♦ ♦ j hope you are succeeding 
well in arranfrini!^ the class-books, and getting matters 
straight. See that new ones are procured, when they 
are needed; that the time of joining is affixed to proba- 
tioners' names on the class-books, as well as on the cir- 
cuit probationers' book, and that the leaders mark their 

books. Sec to this at . I think that reining up 

class-records and class-meetings a little more, in that so- 
ciety, would be favorable in many respects. • • « 

*♦ In the multitude of matters devolving on you, be 
assured you have my sympathies and my prayers. I 
liope the good and merciful Being, in whom is all our 
trust, will supervise, guide and bless you. Try to rec- 
tify matters in , as the Lord may render the way 

clear before you. On the subject of linance, I wish just 
to say, that in the present circumstances, on your cir- 
cuit, it will be necessary for the preachers to pay con- 
siderable attention to those matters. • • • 

♦• I have you, your colleagues, and your field of labor 
in my heart and in my prayers, every day. I earnestly 
desire your success this year. I beseech God to help, in 
every appointment and in every department of the work. 
I desire the people to be good, and to be Methodized; 
to see prosperity in all your borders. Heaven help ever- 
more, Amen. 



CHARLES SHERMAN. 179 

** I suppose you are in some battle, in these days; 
write me frqeucntly, and let me know of your success. 
* * * Very respectfully, yours, 

Chas. Sherman. 

P. S. The sermon on Education, with accompanying 
collections, should be attended to soon. You remember 
the conference resolutions." 

* 'Schenectady, Feb. 24, a. d. 1842. 

*' Dear Brother Parks: * * * Bro. W would 

be good help for you. Were it not for my having 
been taken ivorse yesterday, I would go to his circuit 
right off, to-day ; but I dare not be out. Brethren should 
think but little of a few miles, or scores of miles of 
travel, under the circumstances attending things in 
Glover sville, nor of a few dollars expense. I enter into 
your circumstances in my feelings, very deeply. Stick 
to the Avork. I should think, that, in visiting, prayer 
meetings, &c., &c., you would all need to be employed, 
even if you should get help in the pulpit: hence, I 

should not think it best to commence a meeting in J 

just now. Keep your forces as much as they can be 
spared, for operations in Glovers ville, while the circum- 
stances so specially require it. Keep the brethren from 
getting feverish, about what operations are in progress 
elsewhere. Keep them looking up to the Lord for light, 
and fire, and power, and mercy. If you get new help, 
get them into the way of short pulpit exercises, full of 
point and fire. I should not be so particular about the 
intellectual calibre of the man, as I should about the 
spirit, tact, &c. I pray God to guide, help, and, in every 
needed way, to bless you. Did my health permit, 0, 
how I would like to take my place side by side with 
you, my dear brother, and help in the blessed battle; 
but I can not do it. * * * * 



1 



180 TROY CONFERKNCK MISCELLANY. 

*• Get a good deal of religion, trust in God, and the 
Highest himself will help you. Give my love to brother 

W , and I' , and E , and P , &c., &c. I 

love a good many folks in your country. ' 

Very affectionately, 

CHAS. SUKRMAN.*' 

The reader can not fail to gain, from the above ex- 
tracts, some insight into the character of him who wrote 
them. Their inspiring inlluence upon a young and in- 
experienced preacher, amid the cares of a large circuit, 
can only be fully appreciated by those who have been 
placed in such circumstances. 

Mr. Siierman's skill as a manager, in the affairs of 
the church, was one of the sources of his popularity and 
usefulness. Few men have equaled him in this respect. 
His plans were laid with the ability of a thorough states- 
man or general, and prosecuted with vigor and success. 
Many illustrations of his success in reconciling differ- 
ences among brethren, might be given. In one of his 
charges, where the spirit of division and secession was 
prevalent, persons, on coming to him for letters of dis- 
mission, have been subdued by his kincbiess, and have 
abandoned the ijlea of secession. In one instance, in 
particular, a pious female received her letter from him 
with such kind expressions of regard for her welfare in 
her new church alliance, as contrasted so strongly with 
the spirit prevalent in those new associations, that she 
was induced by this marked difference, to return her 
letter, without offering it where she had intended. 

Mr. Sherman's tact in the business affairs of the church 
manifested itself in numerous ways, in the exercise of 
his office as presiding elder. In adjusting differences 
among brethren, he manifested such kindness as generally 
led all parties to regard him as their friend. Nor were 
they mistaken; he loved cycry body. Instances might 



CHARLES SHERMAN. 181 

be given in which persons have come to him nnder 
strong excitement to demand i*edress of their griev- 
ances, who have left him calm, subdued, and concluding 
that it was not best to say anj^thing more about their 
complaints. The following incidents illustrate his skill 
in meeting emergencies. 

A camp meeting on his district was to be continued 
over the sabbath. On Saturday evening, a company of 
" lewd fellows of the baser sort," came upon the 
ground, with a determination to break up the meeting. 
They came on in such numbers, and manifested so much 
spirit, that the most unhappy results were feared. To 
attempt to oppose them by physical force, or arrest 
them, was, in view of their numbers, out of the question. 
Mr. Sherman saw the dilemma in which they were 
placed, and mounting the stand around which the mob 
had collected, began to exhort them in the name of the 
Lord. In imitation of Paul at Jerusalem, he related 
his religious experience. God blessed him in the effort, 
and while he shouted " Glory to Christ for salvation," 
the spell-bound mob became as quiet as lambs. Not 
the slightest disturbance occurred that night. 

On the following morning, an occasion of a very dif- 
ferent character occurred for testing his generalship. 
Dr. Bascom was present and preached to a vast congre- 
gation, on "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, 
for it is the power of God," &c. It was one of his 
splendid efforts, and the people were completely capti- 
vated. But when the Dr. had closed, what next? That 
was the rub ! In the presence of this giant, the preach- 
ers *' were in their own sight as grasshoppers; and so 
they were in the sight " of the congregation. How to 
bring the people back from the regions to which they 
had been translated, and open the way for the exercises 
to move on with freedom and ease, was the question 



182 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLA.NV. 

to be solved. Let the preachers keep calm now, and 
let the presidifig elder keep his own counsels. The 
next man that appears upon the stand is a colored local 
preacher. He has been for some years a missionary in 
Africa, is possessed of considerable speaking talent, and 
has not tlie fear of man before his eyes. Nothing 
daunted, he announced his text, Acts xxriii, 28. *' Dr. 
Baseom," said he, *' has told you what the gospel is, 
I will tell you what it will do; and I will take Africa 
as my field." As he described with graphic simplicity 
the triumphs of grace in the land of his forefathers, his 
own heart was touched, and the deeply-interested con- 
gregation were brought back, they knew not how, to 
the simplicity and practical realities of a camp meeting 
prayer meeting. The exercises moved on without em- 
barrassment. 

Mr. Sherman's social qualities were of a high order, 
lie gained in an uncommon degree the confidence and 
alTections of all classes, without any apparent effort to 
do so. Many made him their confidential friend and 
adviser, unbosoming to him their private troubles, as 
they did to few others. Few men obeyed the injunction, 
" Bear ye one another's burdens " to the extent that ho 
did. His social qualities greatly endeared him to both 
preachers and people. The preachers on his district 
were wonderfully attached to him; so much so that 
several of the younger, and some of the more aged of 
them, inadvertently fell into the habit of imitating the 
intonations of his voice, and copying his phrases. 

In Confer etice, Mr. Sherman said less than some 
others of far less ability; when he did speak, he carried 
an intluence with him that was not easily resisted. One 
who was associated with him in the bishop's council, 
says, ** I never saw the man that was more tenderly 
and keenly alive to the interests of both the preachers 



CHARLES SHERMAN. 183 

and appointments than Charles Sherman. Groaning 
over the difficulties inseparable from the work of 
making out the appointments, he would pray, " Lord of 
the worlds above, help us." In this, as in every other 
part of his work, a deep sense of his accountability to 
God evidently pervaded his mind, and influenced his 
conduct. 

He was ardently attached to the church of his choice. 
An official member of his last charge, in speaking of 
him, says, " I have never known the man whose whole 
soul was so wedded to the church. Had he been spared 
to attend the General Conference of 1844, of which he 
was a member elect, in my opinion, he could never 
have lived through the scenes of that session, and sur- 
vived the dissolution ot the union of the church." This 
may seem extravagant to some, but taking into account 
his chronic affection of the heart, it will scarcely be so 
regarded, by those who kne^ him best. 

He has left us a worthy example of industry. If 
there were a division among brethren to be healed, a 
church to be erected, or a revival in progress in any 
part of the district, that was the place to find the pre- 
siding elder. It is said of Caesar tlfat he never said 
"Go," but "Come." The same might be said of 
Sherman; he loved to be in the hottest of the battle. 
Rev. T. Spicer says, "His industry was almost with- 
out a parallel. I have known him intimately for ten 
years, and was a boarder in his family for nearly two 
months; and I must say, that for industry and activity 
I have known but few who were his equals." 

He was a happy man. He was one sabbath morning 
driving to his appointment through a dreadful snow 
storm. The deep snowdrifts were unbroken; the wind 
was high; the snow was flying in clouds around him, 
and his horse was plunging slowly through drift after 



184 TROY CONFERENCK MISCELLANY. 

drift, as best he could, aided by his considerate driver. 
In the midst of this scene, which would have cooled the 
ardor of most men, Mr. Sherman, supposing himself far 
from every ear but that of his Master, was overheard 
by an aged sinner joyfully shouting, ** Glory to God." 
This will do, thought the stranger, in a Methodist 
prayer meeting; but why a man should shout the praises 
of God so, on such a morning, and from amid the drift- 
ing snow was a problem that troubled him. 

But it may be asked, " Had he no faults?" lie had, 
for he was a man and not an angel; they were, howevc-r, 
such as ** leaned to virtue's side.'' No shadow, it is be- 
lieved, ever rested upon the integrity or purity of his 
character. That his administration, with all its excel- 
lencies, was faultU'ss is not pretended. The error of his 
life in my humble judgment was a want of regard to 
the physical laws of his being. Not that he was, in 
general, more careless in this respect than others; but 
long sermons, late hours, and overtaxing a good consti- 
tution, deprived the church of God of one of her bright- 
est stars, before he had reached the zenith of his career. 
Had he lived, his inllucnce in his own conference must 
have become almost unbounded, nor could it have been 
confined to those narrow limits. Possibly some who 
were unacquainted with him, will think this sketch over- 
drawn. To such I would say. ask those who knew 
him. 

The name of Charles Sherman will long be cherished 
by many as being among their choicest and most sancti- 
fied associations. He was indeed "a burning and a 
shining light." Happy will it be if the numerous juven- 
ile members of our people's families who bear his name, 
emulate his virtues. Let their parents imitate his pa- 
rents, and that name shall not be dishonored. May not 
the writer hope that this sketch may stimulate some to 



JAMES COVEL. 185 

follow him as he followed Christ. Grace made him what 
he was, and that grace is free for all. 

In his last sickness, when deprived of reason, his 
thoughts dwelt upon the subjects that had been nearest 
his heart ; and he incoherently exhorted sinners to re- 
pent, invited mourners to the altar, and pointed them 
to the Savior. Among the last words that he uttered 
were these: " Glory to God, I am ready to go.'' 

" Mortals cry, — ' A man is dead.' 
Angels sing, — ' A child is born ! 
Born into the world above.' 
They our happy brother greet: 
Bear him to the throne of love, 
Place him at the Savior's feet: 
Jesus smiles, and says ' Well done.' " 



< • ♦ • > 



REV. JAMES COVEL, A. M. 



" Messenger 

Of grace, and light, and life, whose eye, unsealed, 

Saw up the path of immortality. 

Far into bliss, saw men, immortal men, 

Wide wandering from the way." — Pollock. 

This worthy man was a descendant of one of two 
brothers, who emigrated from England, at an early date 
in the history of this country. His paternal grandfather 
was a Baptist minister, whose wife was a Methodist. 
His maternal grandfather was a Methodist preacher in 
Asbury's times. 

Both the parents of the subject of this sketch were 
pious; his father, James Covel, Sen., was a medical 
practitioner, and also one of the early Methodist preach- 
ers. He entered the itinerant ranks in 1791. la 1793, 
15 



IftG TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

ho traveled PittsfieU circuit, one of the first circuits 
formed within the present bounds of the Troy Confer- 
ence, and in 1707 lie located. 

James Covel, Jr., was born in the town of Marblehead, 
Mass., September4, 1796. His father, on being informed 
of the birth of his son, fell upon his knees, thanked 
God for the gift, solemnly vowed to consecrate him to 
the Lord, and earnestly prayed that he might become 
a minister of Jesus Christ. When eight days old he 
was taken to the sanctuary, and there consecrated to 
God, by his father, in holy baptism. In his early school- 
boy days. James gave indications of a disrelish for 
study, which was a source of allliction to nis father, 
who one day expressed to him his anxieties and regrets 
on the subject. James listened with attention, his eyes 
filled with tears, and his speaking countenance said 
emphatically, "I'll try." From that day he was man- 
ifestly more studious, and yet his early attainments 
were very moderate. 

His parents removed to the province of Maine, and 
thence to Poughkeepsie, N. Y. "While residing at the 
latter place, and when about sixteen years of age, James 
was awakened, and converted to God. Soon after, 
with great modesty and humility, he ventured occasion- 
ally to be heard at social meetings in prayer and ex- 
hortation. Encouraged by his brethren, and moved as 
he believed by the Holy Ghost to call sinners to re- 
pentance, he, after many painful mental conflicts, asked 
and received of the quarterly conference of Poughkeepsie, 
a license to preach. His first license is dated June 2G, 
1R1.5, and signed by N. Bangs, presiding elder. Almost 
immediately after being licensed, he was employed by 
the presiding elder on Litchfield circuit, Conn. Pre- 
vious to this he had learned a trade, at which ho was 
earning two dollars per day; this now he left to receive 



JAMES COVEL. 187 

one hundred dollars a year; provided the people whom 
he served were benevolent enough to give it to him. 

At the session of the New York Conference held ia 
June 1816, he was admitted on trial, and appointed to 
Pittsficld circuit; at which time he was not quite twenty- 
years of age. He was greatly favored in having that 
excellent man (now w^ith him in heaven), Rev. Lewis 
Pease, as his senior colleague; and scarcely less in 
having Timothy Benedict, who was then making his 
first essays in the work of the ministry, as his junior 
associate. The people of the circuit were proud of 
their boy -team, as they familiarly called Covel and Ben- 
edict. After the lapse of thirty-five years, the writer 
has heard Captain James Root, and others of Pittsfield, 
refer to them and their labors with affectionate interest. 

Mr. Covcl at this time was eagerly embracing every 
opportunity of gaining knowledge. In his conversation 
with his colleagues, he was full ofinquiries, relative to the 
meaning of difhcult portions of scripture, and other mat- 
ters pertaining to the Christian ministry. At this early 
period, though very anxious to hear the opinions and 
reasonings of others, he thought for himself, and had 
considerable independence of opinion. A little circum- 
stance that occurred that year, may illustrate this trait 
of character. Riding together to a quarterly meeting 
at Lenox, on the w^ay, " the boys*' had an animated, 
though perfectly friendly, discussion upon the import 
of this injunction of Paul to Timothy: " Keep thyself 
pure." They finally agreed to leave it to Dr. Bangs^ 
their presiding elder. On reaching Lenox, they pro- 
posed the case to him, not letting him know the ground 
they had respectively taken. The Doctor's decision 
favored Benedict's opinion. "Well," said Covel, with. 
thoughtful earnestness, "I will give it up, because I said 
I would; but I am no more convinced than I was before." 



188 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

A prominent member of our church in Troy. M*-. I. 
Starks. lived at that time witliin tlie bounds of the Pitts- 
fuld circuit, and has a vivid recollection of Mr. Covcl 
in those early days. He represents him as a very mo- 
dest, devoted young man, who deeply realized his insuf- 
ficiency for the work of the ministry, and whose preaching 
was full of pathos and power. Dr. Skilton, of Troy, 
also remembers well his youthful appearance, his zeal 
and simplicity while preaching in his shirt sleeves, in a 
crowded little school house, at North Watcrtown, soon 
after he commenced his ministry. 

He was subsequently appointed to Brandon, Vt., Dun- 
ham in Canada, St. Albans, Vt., Ticonderoga, and St. 
Albans a second time; where in 1821 he married Miss 
Ann G. Rice, by whom he had six children. Five of 
them, with their widowed mother, still live. In 1822, 
he was appointed to Grand Isle; in 1K23-4, to Charlotte; 
1825-6, to Peru; 1S27-8, to Watervliet; 1829-30, to 
Brooklyn. A nett gain of about one hundred and fifty 
members took place while Mr. Covel was there. From 
Brooklyn he went to Ncwburgh, thence to New Windsor 
and from thence to the city of New York. In 1838, he was 
transferred to the Troy Conference, and appointed prin 
cipal of the Troy Conference Academy, at "West Poult 
ney, Vt., which responsible office he lield until 1841 
when he was appointed to Fort Ann. In June, 1843 
he was stationed in State street, Troy; where he finished 
his course on the fifteenth day of May, l^<4^), in the 
forty-ninth year of his age, and the ttcenty-ninth of his 
ministry. 

Mr. Covel ranked among the most distinguished men 
of the Troy Conference. He was a devoted student and 
a good scholar. On being led, soon after his conversion, 
to turn his attention toward the work of the ministry, 
he found that th iulIi he had become expert at his se- 



JAMES COVEL, 189 

cular calling, in what was vastly more important, he 
was sadly deficient. The deficiency in his education ho 
deeply deplored; and here began that close application 
to study, which characterized all his subsequent life. 
He began with the rudiments of science, not attempting 
to lay the top stone of his educational edifice before ho 
had laid its foundation. A geography and English 
grammar were first mastered; and, subsequently, history, 
anatomy, physiology, chemistry, botany, mineralogy, 
geology and astronomy, occupied his attention. Mental 
and moral philosophy, logic and rhetoric, natural 
and revealed religion, became, one after another, the 
subjects of his diligent study. Sacred literature, was 
always a favorite pursuit. At an early period of 
his ministerial life, he commenced the study of Hebrew 
and Greek, and learned to read the Bible in the inspired 
originals. The study of sacred history and geography, 
engaged his special attention. In 1830, he prepared 
some question books for sabbath schools, which are still 
in use. In 1835 the Wesleyan University conferred 
upon him the honorary degree of Master of Arts. In 
1836 he completed his Bible Dictionary, designed chiefly 
for sabbath schools, a work of considerable merit, in- 
dicating extensive researclf. It has passed to a twelfth 
edition. 

He was a close, untiring student, to the close of life. 
"When in his early days he traveled large circuits, it 
was his custom (on arriving at a place of entertainment), 
to dispose of his horse, and pass through with the sal- 
utations of the occasion with all possible dispatch, and 
finding the best place of retirement at hand, to lose 
sight of all outward things in the study of some useful 
subject. At the time of his death, he was engaged in 
preparing a work to be entitled the Preaclier's Man- 
ual. It was not an uncommon thing for him to become 
so abstracted from all surrounding objects, when en- 



190 TROY CUNKEKiiXfCJC MiSCKLLANY. 

gtiged ill study, as to require considerable effort to recall 
him to a recognition of liis connection with the visible 
world. Under these circumstances, he sometimes com* 
mittcd somewhat ludicrous mistakes; thus, on a friend 
entering his study, he has been known very gravely to 
bid him good bye. He is said to have once committed 
the more serious error of forgetting, in the midst of 
his studies, his appointment to preach. His studious 
habits were not always, in his early days, appreciated 
by the people, and some of the preachers kindly ad- 
monished him of the apostlc*s declaration that "know- 
ledge puffeth up." It would perhaps be uncharitable to 
suppose that jealousy had any place in those admonitions. 

Mr. Covcl was a very modest, unassuming man. lie 
labored to be, rather than appear to be. He was plain 
in his dress and manners. Though sometimes when 
among his friends he was social and communicative; 
yet ordinarily grave, dignified, and a man of but i'cw 
words. His conversation was remarhahly instructive 
and profitable. He hud no relish for idle ehit chat; 
but on serious and weighty matters he conversed with 
animation and interest. It was a habit which he car- 
ried with liiin all through life, to propose with a view 
to elicit information, questions in theology, liblital 
criticism, and the like, when in the company of his 
brethren. His social qualities suffered from his studi- 
ous habits; and yet he was a kind sympathizing friend. 
lie was not remarkable for originality, was somewhat 
defective in imagination, but possessed a sound, strong 
mind. His reflective, were better than his perceptive 
faculties. Good reasoning ;w?rers, and a discriminating 
ju^lgment, were among his best natural endowments. 

As a pa*ttor, he was kiml and allectionate; as a preach' 
«r. he was concise, clear, strong and instructive. There 
wa.s nothing specially striking in his manner. He dealt 
in the substantial truths of the gospel, rather than in 



JAMES COVEL. 191 

oratorical display. Many inferior preachers, with more 
imagination, and a thousand fold less sound sense, have 
been more popular with the multitude, than James Covel. 
The more intelligent and thinking part of his congrega- 
tions, were the best pleased with his pulpit perform- 
ances. It was often said: '' Brother Covel «;ears well." 
His personal appearance was somewhat commanding. 
Above the ordinary stature, inclined to corpulency, dark 
complexioned, of a grave and dignified aspect, and a 
thoughtful, studious air, his entire figure and bearing 
were calculated to command respect. 

He was a jjioz/s, consistent Christian, Tenderness of 
conscience, sincerity and uncompromising integrity, were 
prominent traits in his Christian character. Few men 
knew him, during the last years of his life, as intimate- 
ly as Doctor Skilton, of Troy, who says of him, that 
*' his moral qualities were of a high order;" that " in 
honesty and godly sincerity, there have been few like 
brother Covel. In him, these principles needed not to be 
inquired for, nor claimed in egotism; for they stood out 
prominenth', in all his public transactions, and in pri- 
vate life, in the church of God, and in the walks of re- 
tirement." 

Mr. Covel's health had been failing for more than a 
year previous to his death. His disorder was a dis- 
ease of the spine, producing excessive pain in the face, 
throat and arms, and at length paralysis of the limbs 
and lower part of the body. For about two months be- 
fore he died, he was unable to attend to his duties as a 
minister, and for four weeks he was confined to the 
house, during which time his bodily sufferings were very 
great. It is believed that his disorder was greatly in- 
creased, and his death hastened, by going into the water 
to bap'ize several persons by immersion, in February 
or March. Divine grace was magnified in the patience 
with which his extreme sufferings were borne. His 



192 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

confidence in the Lord was strong, and the peace of God 
filled his soul. On the arrival of his brother, Kev. 
SarniK'l Covt-l, he said to him, " I do not think that I 
shall live; but death has no terrors. I feel that I am 

on the side of heaven." To brother S , he said: 

" You will attend my funeral; it is my desire, and the 

desire of my family." Brother S replied, ** Bisliop 

Iledding is in town." *' Very well," said he, '* you can 
arrange that between yourselves. I wish to have no 
parade. All I desire is, the lowest place among my 
brethren." 

To a clergyman who had been a former colleague, and 
who reminded him of his toils and success in the minis- 
try, he replied: " Brother, I do not depend upon these 
things as the ground of my hope, but wholly on the 
atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ." His friend, Doctor 
Skilton, who attended him in his last illness, says: "He 
evidently reviewed his life with great care and impar- 
tiality, in his last moments. Some of the last A\ords 
that he uttered, being intended to clear up a slight niis- 
understanding, which from imperfect recollection on his 
part, had for a short time existed. His mode of settling 
it, was to admit the statement and more perfect recol- 
lection of his friend and brother. " The ruling passion 
strong in death!" On something beii;g said about sing- 
ing, he remarked, " I am waiting to hear the angels 
sing." During all his last illness, he manifested a de- 
cided interest in the prosperity of the work of God, and 
especially in tlic church of which he then held the pas 
toral charge. Atone time, after quoting several passa- 
ges of seripture relative to the ministry of angels, he 
said, "If I am permitted to come, I shall be very busy 
about State street, attending and serving the brethren." 

Finding himself near his end, he called his family 
around him for the last titne. that he might give them 
his dying counsel. As may well be imagined, the scene 



JAMES COVEL. 193 

was one of affecting interest. Surrounding his bed, 
bathed in tears, were his wife and children, two bro- 
thers, a sister and a number of his flock. For some 
time his emotions overcame him, and an impressive 
silence prevailed. At length he gave his stricken com- 
panion and older children his last advice; then turning 
his eyes toward the two youngest, with an affection which 
I will not attempt to describe, he said: " These little fel- 
lows Avill soon be fatheilcss, but ' leave thv fatherless 
children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows 
trust in me.' " Thus did he in the last conflict, confide 
in God's unchanging truth, and administer the consola- 
tions of inspiration to his mourning family. His mind 
was clear, and he was able to speak until very near the 
last. 

"When on the verge of dissolution, Doctor Skilton ob- 
served to him, " You are very near your end;" to which 
he replied, " I hope so." To his wife, who sat by him, 
watching with intense interest the last flickerings of 
the lamp of life, he said, " You are seeing me for the 
last time." She replied, "You can notstay long." He 
asked, "Are you not willing to let me go?" His sympa- 
thizing companion answered, " Your sufferings have 
almost reconciled me to it.' He responded, " I long to 
be gone." The last words that he was heard distinctly 
to articulate were, "Tell brother Mattison that I die 
happy." 

His funeral was attended in the State street church, 
on Saturda}-, the 17th, at which Bishop Hedding deliv- 
ered a very appropriate discourse from 2 Tim. iv, 6, 7, 
8, " I am now ready to be offered," &c. There were 
present twenty or more of his brethren in the ministry. 
The deep feeling which was manifested throughout the 
exercises of the day, bespoke the estimation in which he 
was held. 



194 TROY CONFKRENCK MISCELLANY. 



KEV. THOMAS KIRBY. 



II V RKV. 15. M. HALL. 



" The st-angor's eye w»'|)t. that in life's briyhle^l bloom 
One fiiftel so hi;<hly shouU sink to ihe tomb; 
For in anlor he led in the van of the host, 
And he fell like a soldier — he died al his post." 

Brother Kirby was born of pious parents, in the 
town of New Lebanon, N. Y, July 23, 1815. Many of 
the great and good men of our own, and former days, 
have owed much to the wisdom and piety of their mo- 
thers. Luther, Cecil, Doddridge, Wesley, and a host of 
others, have received essential benefit, in very early Hfo 
from the gentle, yet powerful inlluence of that most 
tender friend. This was the case with the subject of 
this memoir. But, as slie yet lives, delicacy forbids 
the saying of some tilings which might otherwise be re- 
corded with propriety. Suflicc it to say, that she dis- 
covered in her son Thomas, an unusual degree of 
inquisitiveness in early life, and taking advantage of 
this mental trait, she implanted the seeds of religious 
knowledge, nurturing them with care, and doubtless 
watering them with prayers and tcarS. And she was 
made to rejoice, as she saw those seeds producing under 
grace the choicest fruitage, while her son was yet a 
mere lad. 

In the summer of 1829, a camp meeting was held in 
the vicinity o( Mr. Kirby *s residence. There a com- 
pany of Christians were onTcring fervent prayers lor tho 
members of their families who were unconverted. In 
this company were found the parents of young Thomas, 
who was, himself, at the paternal residence. On return- 



THOMAS KIRBY. 195 

ing to their home, they found their son, a boy of 
fourteen summers, in deep distress on account of his 
condition as a sinner. " It seemed to me," said he, 
** as though an arrow from the quiver of the Almighty 
came from the camp meeting and pierced my heart." 

A few friends met that evening at the house of Mr. 
Kirby, for a pra3'er meeting. Thomas made known his 
anxieties, and joined with the pious parents and friends, 
in prayer to God. His distress continued for a few 
days, when the way of faith was revealed, and he 
entered into rest by believing in Christ. His conver- 
sion was clear, and the witness of his adoption into the 
family of God satisfactory. His name being written 
in heaven, was entered also upon the records of the 
church on earth, the next sabbath day; and from that 
time his course was steadily onward until " God took 
him." 

Chiefly through his endeavors, a sabbath school and 
regular prayer meeting were established near his 
father's house. In these it was his delight to labor 
with other Christians, in behalf of children, and for 
the promotion of religion. When from seventeen to 
nineteen years of age, a society or class was organized 
a few miles from his abode, and mostly through his 
labors. Of this class he was made leader, which office 
he held until the summer of 1835, when he entered the 
academy, at Wilbraham, Mass. About the same time 
he received an exhorter's license. 

In 1837 he entered the ministry, and was employed 
by Rev. Dr. Levings (then P. E. of the Troy district), 
on Dalton Circuit, as the assistant of Rev. Joseph 
Eames. Though young and retiring, he was well 
received, and his name is remembered with affection in 
that field of labor. 

The young minister will feel the force of trials, 



196 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

wliich, in their magnitude, or rather their want of mag 
nitudc, will, in mature years, scarcely make an imjires- 
sion. The writer has heard brother Kirby relate with 
a smile, a little incident which occurred soon after he 
arrived on this, his first field of labor. The first time 
he visited a certain appointment on the circuit, having 
been instructed where to call, he rode up to the picket 
fence in front of a brother's liouse, and dismounted. 
S^'cing no post to which he could fasten his horse, he tied 
him to the rail of the picket fence. The moment this 
was done, his horse, which had always been perfectly 
gentle, began to struggle with all his might, and soon 
the fence gave away; the horse dragging one wliole 
length of rails, with the pickets, away with him. 
Brother Kirby followed on, and after a while succeeded 
in capturing the horse, but tlie halter was drawn so 
tightly in the knot that he was obliged to cut it. In 
the meantime, the females, who at the hour were the 
only occupants of the house, had rushed to the door. 
On being told the name of the stranger whose approach 
had caused the disaster, they told him where he would 
find a stable in whicli he might put his horse, where he 
would be secure. He proceeded to tie his beast in the 
stall, but wlien he attempted to pass out, the horse 
suddenly crowded him against the side of the stall, and 
held him immovable. By no effort could ho possibly 
extricate himself, and tlic whole power of the animal 
M*as exerted to keep him in his position, until it was 
with the utmost dilheulty that he could get his breath. 
It was not in his power to speak to the beast, or call 
for help, and, could he have called, there were none to 
help, for all the males belonging to the house were in 
the distant fields. In his distress, he succeeded in turn- 
ing liis eye so as to see the eye of his horse, where he 
fancied he saw the devil, who with fiendish satisfaction 



THOMAS KIRBY. 197 

beheld his distress, and seemed to say, " Preach, will 
you? This is to pay you for preaching. I'll teach you 
to preach!" 

After some time he was allowed to escape, and he 
went to the house, pale, suffering, and almost breath- 
less. The efifects of that terrible pressing were felt for 
many weeks. But never before nor after that day, did 
his horse behave disorderly. 

In 1838, brother Kirby was received on trial in the tra- 
veling connection, at Keeseville, N. Y., and appointed to 
New Lebanon circuit, his native place. He had for his 
preacher in charge, the late Rev. William D. Stead, 
Though this was the place of his birth, he was well 
received, and had some honor, even in his own country. 
His name is mentioned there, to this day, with re- 
spect, with tenderness, and with affection. 

At the session of the conference at Schenectady in 
1839, he was appointed to Stowe circuit with the writer. 
This was a long journey, and on some accounts to a 
youth of the retiring and timid cast of brother Kirby, it 
was an appointment to be dreaded. His fears, how- 
ever, were groundless, and the year was a pleasant and 
profitable one. About the middle of the year he play- 
fully related to his colleague, his former fears, and 
expressed his joy at being so happily disappointed. 
The most perfect harmony prevailed between his col- 
league and himself, and their labors were crowned with 
some success. He learned, that, though the circuit 
was far in the north, yet religion could warm the heart 
of the preacher and save the souls of the hearers. 
And the preacher in charge testifies that he never labored 
with a more pleasant and true yoke-fellow. 

In 1840 and 1841, brother Kirby labored on Berkshire 
circuit. This was a large field, in those days, bordering 
upon Canada East. Rev. B. Isbell, was his colleague 
16 



198 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

the first, and Rev. Geo. McKillips the second year, on 
this ciixuit. His labors were more tlian acceptable; 
tlu'V were highly gratiiyiiig. His iiniid was expanding 
and his preaching gifts were rapidly increasing. The 
people in all that vast field love his memory, and speak 
in terms of the strongest nffeetion cencerning his excel- 
lencies of heart and talent. The labors of all those 
ministers were successful, and souls will be found in 
heaven, which were saved in those years, and brother 
Kirby will reap his share of bliss when he shall greet them 
tliere, and behold their advancing glory and blessedness. 

The next field which shared his labors was Ilinesburgh 
station. This is a small but pleasant place, having a 
population which will compare fiivorably with that of 
any country village, in point of intelligence and refine- 
ment. 

Here, as in all his previous appointments our young 
brother sustained himself well. He was now thrown 
upon his own resources, being for the first time put in 
charge. It is to be regretted that the modern arrange- 
ment of our fields of labor, renders it necessary to 
place our young men in charge of circuits and stations, 
before they have gained a suflicient amount of practical 
knowledge to qualify them for such positions. No doubt 
the subject of this memoir was greatly benefited by 
being the junior preacher for so long a time. He had 
acquired a fund of needful information, on which he 
could now draw in case of necessity. As was antici- 
pated, he showed himself a man : and all the departments 
of the work flourished. 

This was a s/a//a7j, having but one appointment, or 

preaching place; and on this account somewhat more 

dillicult to fill with success by a young minister. One 

ittlc incident may be mentioned here, for the purpose 

of putting our prominent laymen upon their guard, lest 



THOMAS KIRBY. 199 

they lacerate the tender sensibilities of our modest young 
preachers. 

When brother Kirby arrived at this station, he called 
upon one of the officials who was a leading man in the 
village, and introduced himself as the preacher sent to 
labor there for the year. The official looked upon him 
with an indiffierent air, and cooly said, " We expected 

brother or some one of his grade and talent." That 

remark was as a dagger to the heart of the young itin- 
erant! It was a heedless word; not intended to inflict 
a wound; yet there was cruelty in its coolness ! It is 
sufficiently trying to a youth to go among strangers, at 
the bidding of the itinerant system, even when he is 
encouraged by the cordial welcome of those whom he is 
appointed to serve; and, when he is met with coldness, 
the trial is of crushing weight ! 

The next appointment of brother Kirby was Whitehall 
station. This, in some respects, is a very important 
place. Being at the head of steamboat navigation, and 
the place of transhipment of all merchandise and 
freight, from the steamers on Lake Champlain to the 
rail road and canal boats, and vice versa, it is a place 
of much business, and much wickedness. 

Our brother sustained himself well, and was useful. 
As in all other places, he was greatly beloved here, for 
" none knew him but to love." The testimony of Dr. 

M in whose family he boarded, is just what might 

be obtained at all his boarding places. The Dr. says, 
" He was a member of my family for a year, and never 
did I see a man more uniformly pleasant, agreeable and 
exemplary." 

In 1844 and 1845, he was stationed at Brandon, Vt. 
This is a large and flourishing village on Otter creek; 
an important and responsible station; though we have 
not a very large society in the place. Here the work 



200 TROY CONFKRENCE MISCELLANY. 

prospered, and the preacher was successful. Nothing 
has come to hand of special note in relation to his abode 
or labors in this charge, beyond the general fact of his 
acceptability and usefulness. 

In 18 IG, our conference met at Keeseville, N. Y., and 
there our brother received his last as he had his first 
appointment from the same place. 

Ho was, this year, stationed at Granville and East 
Hebron. He left the seat of the conference in good 
health, went to his work with his usual cheerfulness, 
and preached one sabbatli, at Granville Corners, with 
great earnestness and effect. Immediately after his 
second sermon he went from the pulpit to his bed, and 
from thence to the heavenly mansions ! 

He died at Granville, N. Y., at the residence of his 
colleague, Rev. B. 0. Meeker, who gives the following 
noble testimony to his worth. " He was a soimd preach- 
er, full of spirit and power. He was an excellent pas- 
tor; having a heart to feel for others in affliction. He 
loved his work and sustained himself in all his appoint- 
ments like a man of God. In short he was a good 
Methodist preacher. In all places where he traveled, 
sinners were converted and the church built up." 

As God had been with him in life, so he forsook him 
not in death. The day before his death, he said, 
•' Brother Meeker, the Lord is giving me a gracious vic- 
tory!'' It was replied, "They that trust in the Lord 
shall never be confounded," to which he responded 
*' Glory,** in a very loud voice. " His whole sickness 
and death were a striking demonstration of the power 
of the gospel to sustain in such scenes." 

From the pulpit where his last sermon was preached, 
Rev. Dr. J. T. Peck delivered his funeral discourse, on 
" For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.** Soon 
after, his presiding elder. Rev. J. Clark, preached on the 



THOMAS KIRBY. 201 

occasion of his death in the vicinity of his relatives, on 
the same text. 

Ilis remains await the resurrection summons, in the 
Protestant Episcopal Burial Ground at Granville Cor- 
ners, N. Y. A beautiful monument, erected by his re- 
latives, marks the spot, bearing the following simple in- 
scription: 

REV. THOMAS KIRBY, 

of the 

Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Died, July 10, 1846, aged 31 years. 

" For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." 

Thus has our brother passed away; and thus has his 
pathway been rapidly sketched. A few remarks onl}'', 
and the subject must be left to make its own impress. 

In person, brother Kirby was rather short, of a full ha- 
bit, and a decidedly pleasant expression of countenance. 

One chief cause of the high esteem in which he was 
held, was, his uniform cheerfulness and kindness of 
spirit. These states of mind were prominent and abid- 
ing, rendering him the agreeable companion and unfail- 
ing friend. 

His voice was pleasant as music, and under complete 
control; which contributed not a little to his accepta- 
bility and usefulness in the pulpit. To listen to him 
was like hearing the smooth and mellow sounds of some 
instrument which would hold the attention of the hearer 
to the last. But it was not merely the sound which was 
heard when he was in the pulpit. His discourses "were 
respectable in their method, and warm with holy lire, 
which rendered him an impressive and effective preacher. 

He loved to preach; not that he was fond of saying so; 
but he proved it in his practice. He was ready to take 
his share in that work, and never sought for excuses 
when called on to perform it. In one of his circuits 



202 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

there lived an aged brother wiio was greatly distressed 
with an asthmatic difficulty, which confined him at 
home. Almost as often as brother Kirby visited that 
part of the field, ho would call upon Father Lawrence, 
and ask if he had heard any preacliing since he was 
there? If the answer was in the negative, he would 
say, "Well, you must hear a sermon ;" and seating 
himself he would announce some text suited to the con- 
dition of his auditor, and proceed to expound, illustrate 
and apply the whole, during, perhaps, twenty minutes, 
with all the interest and feeling which he would exhibit 
if hundreds were listening to his discourse. Such sea- 
sons were remembered and referred to in after days, 
by that afllictcd disciple, with great delight and satis- 
faction. 

The death of our brotlier was such as might well be 
anticipated from his life. lie "rests from his labors, 
and his works do follow him." 



EEV. ALFIJED SAXE, A. M. 



BV REV. S. I). BUOW N. 



*' A gentleman, a scholar, and a Christian/" — J. P. Gocld. 

The memory of the pious dead is a sacred legacy com- 
mitted to the church, and to cherish it is a duty we owe, 
not to thiin only, but to the living. Kneeling at the 
shrine of those they loved, and who loved God, men 
g.itlier confidence and strength manfully to contend with 
the evils and difficulties that surround them. Thousands 
of years had passed over the grave of the pious Abel; 
the remembrance of the place of his sepulture had 



ALFRED SAXE. 203 

faded from the hearts of men, and the last human being 
that ever saw his form, had been for centuries a tenant 
of the dust, when an inspired apostle called to mind 
that act of piety and devotion, recorded in the sacred 
volume, and with rapture exclaimed, "by it, he being 
dead, yet speaketh." This is emphatically true of one 
whom we have personally known, to whose counsel we 
have been accustomed to listen, and from whose society 
we have derived pleasure, but who has been taken from 
us by the strong hand of death. As often as we reflect 
upon the virtues of such an one, we place before our 
minds an example of piety and devotion, rendered more 
impressive by the fact, that he to whom it related is 
enjoying the reward of that life of devotedness in the 
paradise of God. As often as we recall his sayings, a 
voice seems to break upon our ear, in familiar tones, 
urging us on in the path of duty. And even when their 
early death awakens regret, it yet tends to stimulate to 
higher and more ardent effort. 

And such is the constitution of the human mind, that 
the reflection that the hour is approaching, when we 
shall become strangers in the circles where we are now 
familiar, awakens painful emotions, however it may be 
counteracted by the hope of joys to come. But the 
thought that we shall not be forgotten ; that our words 
will be recalled, and our acts remembered; and that 
thus, though dead, we shall yet speak to those with 
whom we now associate, aff'ords to the shrinking heart 
a degree of joy. As often, therefore, as we call to mind 
our former companions, and fondly dwell upon the re- 
collections of the past, we convey encouragement to 
ourselves; for we strengthen the conviction, that, when 
dead, we shall yet live in the memory of those to whom 
we are now allied. 

These thoughts have been suggested, by recalling the 



201 TROY CONFERENCE MISCEIJJ^NY. 

memory of him whose name stands at the head of this 
article, and whose early death caused mourning in so 
many hearts. 

Alfred Saxe was the son of Jacob Saxe, and was born in 
Sheldon, Vt., September 5, a. d., 1814. When about three 
years of age, his father removed to Plattsburgh, N. Y., and 
fixed his residence upon the banks of Lake Champlain, 
at the mouth of Salmon river. In this beautiful yet 
secluded spot, he passed the period of his childliood, and 
it could hardly be expected that this period of his life 
would present much that is either striking or peculiar. 

When not yet five yearJ of age, an incident occurred, 
which, however trivial in itself, is yet interesting as 
exhibiting that coolness and presence of mind, and that 
decision and promptness of action, for which, in subse- 
quent life, he was so remarkable. He was at play, on 
a warm summer afternoon, along the banks of the stream 
above alluded to, in company with a boy two years old- 
er than himself, and a little girl, when the latter slipped 
from the log upon which she was standing, and, as the 
water was deep and no help near, was in danger of be- 
ing drowned. Little Alfred did not run for help, as 
many older than himself would have done, or look idly 
on, as his companion seemed disposed to do, but prompt- 
ly rushed to her rescue, with the spirit and courage of 
a man. She was yet within reach of the log from which 
she fell, and the little boy of five years, dashing aside 
the bonnet which covered her head, and which he had 
sufricient presence of mind to know would check her res- 
piration, or suffer her to slip from him, he seized her hair, 
and tlius bore her above the water, until his feeble cries 
brought the requisite aid. But such was the shock pro- 
duced upon his sensitive nature, that long after tJic 
occurrence his eyes would fill with tears, whenever he 
recalled the exciting scene. 



ALFRED SAXE. 205 

In early life he imbibed a strong desire for knowledge, 
and some portion of his time each day was devoted to 
his books. At this period, history was his favorite 
study, and he stored his mind with a great variety of 
historical facts. These were so classified that he could 
readily call them to mind, and relate them in order; 
and his childish heart seemed filled with rapture, when he 
could collect around him a company of listeners, and re- 
hearse to them the incidents gathered from historic 
records. And it was not uncommon to behold the 
laborers in his father's employ (of which, at this time, 
there were a large number), gathered, at the close of 
the day, around the youthful Alfred, then only twelve 
years of age, listening, as to an oracle, while, with a 
flushed countenance and beaming eye, he related some 
event gleaned from the annals of the past. 

When about fifteen years of age, he became deeply im- 
pressed with a sense of the importance of religion. With 
him, feeling was sure to lead to action; and, although 
there was no general revival at that time, he soon ob- 
tained the pardoning favor of God. From that moment 
a new life was indeed opened before him, and new powers 
were stirred into being by the moving of the Holy Ghost. 
Thoughts, to which his mind had before been a stranger, 
were awakened; desires and aims of a more lofty char- 
acter wei*e presented, and motives more mighty in their 
influence, began to operate upon his soul ; and connected 
with all his thoughts of usefulness, was the great work 
of the ministry. The impression, gentle at first, con- 
tinued to deepen, until his earnest heart became satisfied 
that the authority to which he had vowed submission, 
now directed him to go forth and " call sinners to re- 
pentance." 

But he realized the solemn responsibility of this office, 
and the duty of employing every means to prepare him- 



206 TROY CONFKREN'CE MISCELLANY. 

self for tlic work. He felt that he must have an educa- 
tion, and he began to form plans to secure it. For a 
short time he attended the academy at Plattsburgh, 
where he found a home in the family of Rev. John Clark, 
then presiding elder of Plattsburgh district, from whom 
he received all the encouragement and sympathy he re- 
quired. An unfortunate reverse in his circumstances ren- 
dered it impossible for his father to alford the aid neces- 
sary; but his vehement soul cried out, "let me go; 
I can take care of myself;" and we find him, When 
eighteen, at Burlington, Vt., devoting to physical effort 
a suilicient amount of time to supply his physical wants, 
and pursuing his studies with that intensity of desire and 
unity of purpose, which ever characterized him. Here 
he ftiade such proficiency, that he was soon after era- 
ployed to teach one of the ancient languages, in the 
academy at Keeseville, while he pursued his studies in 
other departments. 

Wliile in Burlington, he reccivecf license to exhort, 
from Rev. A. M. Osbon, and began to exercise his gifts 
in '* pointing the lost to their salvation and hope." Soon 
after, he received authority to preach. His success in 
the commencement of his ministry, exceeded the most 
sanguine expectations of his friends. The writer re- 
members to have heard him several times, soon after he 
received license, and while he was attending the acade- 
my at St. Albans. There was even then, a power of 
consecutive thouglit, a pleasing diction, and an energy 
and earnestness of manner, which gratified his audience 
and gave promise of the man. But the youthful preach- 
er had too much candor and judgment to conclude, that, 
because the people expressed themselves satisfied with 
his ministrations, he had no need to improve. Ho 
knew that the approbation bestowed upon his sermons, 
was approbation bestowed upon the labors of one just 



ALFRED SAXE. 207 

entering the Christian ministry; and although the people 
might now listen to them with delight, as the efforts of 
a boy, that delight would be turned into disgust when 
he should have reached maturity, unless they marked 
an improvement suited to his years. Too many young 
men, who enter the ministry full of promise and hope, 
fail at this point. They are judged, not by what they 
now are, but by what it is supposed they will be, when 
those opening powers are fully developed, and their 
early efforts are well received. But insidiously the sen- 
timent steals upon the mind, that they shall succeed 
without any great exertion, and the result is a failure, 
mortifying to themselves and to the church of Christ. 
Those sermons, listened to with so much delight when 
delivered by a youth, become tasteless and insipid when 
delivered by a man; and those who praised them with 
such ardor, are disappointed and chagrined at the fail- 
ure of their hopes. But no such seductive influences 
could draw the subject of this memoir from the high 
path he had marked out for himself. 

Having thoroughly qualified himself, he entered the 
sophomore class in the Wesleyan University, in the sum- 
mer of 1835. His college life passed, as is usual with 
life in such circumstances, without any startling inci- 
dents or anything peculiarly interesting; but the whole 
was devoted ardently and faithfully to the woi-k before 
him. During the last two years of his collegiate course, 
he was engaged as assistant teacher in the Middletown 
Preparatory School, then under the superintendence of 
Daniel H. Chase. Almost every sabbath he was en- 
gaged to preach, at some point in the vicinity of Mid- 
dletown, and part of the time he had charge of a small 
society, about five miles distant. Yet he was able, by 
untiring application, to complete his course, and gradu- 
ate with honor to himself and the institution, at the 
commencement in 1838. 



208 TROY CONFERENCE MISCKLLANY. 

Of his standing in the university, Jolm G. Saxe.Esq., 
wlio occupied a room with him for one year, says, "I 
was with Alfred one year, very intimately, yet it was 
an even life for him and me, just study, study, and little 
else. The most that I eouldsay would be this, he was 
a fine scholar, of winning manners, and elegant tastes; 
the most popular student in college, and admitted to be 
among the foremost in intellectual power.'* Rev. L. L. 
Knox says of him, '* Brother Saxe was clear-headed, 
studious, and prompt. He did not claim to be a won- 
derful genius, and hence he was not ashamed to study. 
If he ever came to the recitation room without a lesson, 
which scarcely ever occurred, we all knew that some 
higher duty or some stern necessity had been upon him, 
I know not that he had any favorite studies, or rather, 
I know not that there were any branches of study that 
were not favorites. There were none in which he was 
a poor, or even medium scholar. In a class of twenty- 
nine, he stood in scholarship among the first, and if you 
add to scholarship social qualities, and whatever con- 
stitutes an agreeable, interesting and promising young 
man, he was easily our chief." 

But although able to sustain himself creditably with 
such an amount of labor, it was evidently too much for 
his physical constitution. Of this he himself became 
sensible in later life. Writing, a few weeks before his 
death to a brother younger than himself, who was about 
entering the ministry, he exhorts him to avoid this over 
exertion: " I know from experience, that assuming too 
great an amount of labor and responsibility to start 
with, is just the way to prevent the steady and healthy 
development of the mental faculties. I want you to 
have a fair chance to start right, and not subject your- 
self to the trhip ajid spur of exeitoment and exertion be- 
fore you have a suitable preparation to make your labors 



ALFRED SAXE. 209 

tell. In short, you should aim at more than temporary- 
success, at being something besides a smai't young man.'* 

In October, 1838, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Elizabeth Chase, daughter of the late Rev. Henry 
Chase, of New York, with whom he had been associated 
as a teacher in the preparatory school. For the next 
eighteen months he had charge of this institution, while 
the principal was absent on a visit to Europe, and dis- 
charged his duties to the satisfaction of all. At the end 
of this period, he was placed at the head of the Middle- 
town High School. This was a public institution estab- 
lished by the authorities of the city, and the position 
demanded great labor, but, by his talent and industry, 
he caused the school to prosper in his hands. During 
a portion of his residence in Middletown, he was also 
professor of normal instruction in the university of 
which he was a graduate. 

In the spring of 1843, he became convinced that the 
time had come, when duty required that he should devote 
himself wholly to the work of the ministry. It was a 
settled principle of his life, that what God required 
was to be faithfully performed, and the only question 
was to determine in what part of the vineyard he was 
to labor. All the hallowed reminiscences of his youth, 
as well as a conviction of duty, seemed to direct his 
attention to the Troy Conference, and although induce- 
ments were held out in other quarters, he resolved to 
connect himself with that body. He was received on 
trial by the New York Conference, at their session in 
that year, and transferred to the Troy Conference. 

His first appointment was the Ferry street station, 

in the city of Albany. This congregation had been 

previously subject to misfortune. A few years before, 

they erected a beautiful and commodious church edifice, 

but became heavily involved in debt. * nd scarcely had 
17 



210 TROY CO^^hUENCE MISCELLANY. 

they entered thisliousc, where they hoped their eliildrcn 
would worship God, wlien it was "burned up with fire» 
and all their pleasant things laid waste." But although 
for a time disheartened, and finally disbanded, they 
rallied again, and, during the year preceding, completed 
the Ferry Street Church. During the winter, God 
smiled upon their efforts, and many were converted. 

Entering thus upon his duties, with a church which 
had been scattered, by what seemed to them a mysteri- 
ous dispensation of divine providence, but who had 
been gathered again, and were now looking to the future 
with high and holy hope; he resolved that nothing 
should be omitted, upon his part, that would lead to the 
realization of those hopes. He began his labors with 
fear and trembling, yet with zeal and energy, his word 
was attended with divine power; the brethren rallied 
for his support, and he was able, not only to retain 
those who had been gathered in, but also to lead many 
others to the cross. Thus did the first 3'ear of his itin- 
erant life pass nearly to its conclusion, amid the triumphs 
and glories of the present, and the opening hopes of the 
future. But, in February, he was attacked with the 
measles. His constitution had before become enfeebled, 
and disease took strong hold upon him, yet the most 
favorable hopes were entertained by his friends. But 
a fire occurred in that section of the city, which en- 
dangered his own dwelling, and rendered his removal 
necessary. Care was used, yet his exposure to the 
night air with the excitement of the moment, produced 
deleterious consequences, and although he came up from 
that bed of languishing, he came up from it with a per- 
manent pulmonary affection. 

At the conference of 1844, which was held at West 
Poultney, he appeared with an attenuated form and 
haggard countenance, but too plainly indicating the 



ALFRED SAXE. 211 

ravages of disease. lie was however elected one of the 
secretaries of the conference, although but a probationer, 
and the journal of that year, while it reveals his fidelity 
and good taste, at several points, testifies to the tremii- 
lousness and prostration incident to diseasi. He was 
reappointed to Ferry street, where the brethren re- 
ceived him cordially, and rallied for his support. His 
ministry this year, was attended with a good degree of 
success, and a number were added to the church. He 
possessed the confidence as well as sympathy of the 
people, and left them at the close of the year amid many 
regrets. One of the prominent members of that church, 
said, "There are few such men as Brother Saxe; he 
was a man in every sense of the word." Another has 
summed up his character, in the motto placed at the 
head of this article, "a gentleman, a scholar, and a 
Christian." 

In 1845, he was appointed to North White Creek. 
The labors of this year were performed with great diffi- 
culty, on account of increased debility, yet they were 
not intermitted. Nay, his soul seemed to gather fresh 
power and zeal, as it neared the end of its labors. 
Here, also, he had the confidence and affection of 
the people, and during the year about forty experi- 
enced the renewing grace of God, and were received 
upon probation in the church. 

At the conference of 1846, his health was so far im- 
paired as to render it impracticable to continue the 
active work of the ministry, and he, who, three years 
before, entered the "itinerant ranks" with such high 
and noble purposes, and so much promise of success — 
who had so nobly acted his part in the great contest 
between truth and error, was obliged to retire from the 
field. Although in tbe prime of life, he was placed upon 
the superannuated list. Friends he had in every place 



212 TBOT CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

where ho had sojounicd, but in this, the hour of his 
extremity, none seemed to him like the friends of his 
youth; noplace like tlie home of his childhood. His 
fatlier liud returned to tlie town of Sheldon, Vt., and 
thither, with his little family, the wearied and wasted 
invalid now turned his sorrowing steps, hoping that the 
quiet of that early home would restore his exhausted 
frame. 

But althougli secluded from active life and his hopes 
of usefulness cut off, his usual cheerfulness did not 
forsake him. He had learned to put his trust in God, 
and that confidence did not waver in the dark hour of 
adversity. It was painful to him to think of going to the 
grave in the morning of life, and he frequently and 
freely expressed his desire to live. But that desire was 
ever connected with a sense of the vast work to be 
performed, and the necessity of his presence to the 
happiness of his family. He desired to live that he 
might spread the knowledge of Christ and promote the 
salvation of men. And even this wish was exercised in 
humble submission to the will of God. Feeling that he 
was "too wise to err, too good to be unkind," he com- 
mitted his interests to him wliomhe had served, and calm 
and thoughtful, yet full of cheerfulness and hope, he 
passed the summer months. The writer of this sketch 
has a distinct recollection of meeting him toward the 
close of one of the last days of tliat summer, a short 
distance from his father's residence, as he was taking 
his accustomed evening walk. His feeble step and 
wasted form were but too indicative of the progress of 
disease, but his noble brow and beaming eye and 
thoughtful mien were expressive of hopes that could 
never die. Toward the conclusion of the summer he 
passed a few days amid the scenes and friends familiar, 
when, to use bis own language, **ho was a barefoot 



ALFRED SAXE. 213 

boy, racing and capering about the shores of Lake 
Champlain." He was received with great cordiality 
and many prayers were offered for his recovery. 

Having conchided to remain in Sheldon, his com- 
panion left him about the first of October, to complete 
some arrangements for their comfort during the winter, 
as well as to visit her friends in New York. On Tues- 
day, the 6th of this month, he rode to St. Albans Bay, 
a distance of twelve miles, transacted some business, 
and returned the same evening. This journey pro- 
duced great weariness, yet the next morning he says, in 
a letter to his absent companion. *' Wednesday morn- 
ing has come. I was so tired with riding twenty-four 
miles yesterday, that I could not help sleeping in earnest. 
I have had but little asthma since you went away, and 
my nights pass quite comfortably when I do not sleep 
too much in the day time." During the day he com- 
pleted this letter, which he had commenced several days 
before. There is a peculiar sacredness about this 
epistle, as it was the last production of the departed 
one, but it was written to an absenf wife and is too 
sacred for the public eye. The closing paragraph, 
the last unquestionably he ever wrote, evincing as it 
does his unwavering trust in God, and his continued 
interest in the happiness of those dear to him, may not 
be omitted. "Give yourself no uneasiness about us. 
We are well cared for. Our folks do all that is kind, 
and we are in the care of One, moreover, by whom all 
things are observed, without whose notice not a sparrow 
falls. Enjoy your visit just as much as possible, lay care 
aside and be happy, just as happy as possible. May 
God bless you, and in due time bring you back again to 
meet a hearty welcome." 

The evening was passed in social intercourse with 
the family, and he conversed with his usual animation 



214 TROY CONKEUENCE MISCELLANY. 

When ho liad taken his light to repair to his own room, 
he paused, and with his hand upon tlie latch of the door, 
related a pleasing anecdote. Thus did this minister of 
Christ go to his private apartment on the night of the 
7th of October, 184G. His parents had but just risen 
on the following morning, when they were startled by 
the call of his little boy, who had passed the night with 
him. They hastily entered his room and found him 
sitting u])on the side of his bed, with the blood issuing 
profusely from his mouth. He was unable to speak, 
but seemed conscious of his state, and his countenance 
bore the same aspect of composure as when he retired to 
rest. Aud so rapid was the work of the destroyer, that 
scarce five minutes elapsed ere those parents found 
themselves standing amid tlic grey twilight of the open- 
ing morn by the corse of their eldest born. 

Brother Saxe possessed a vigorous and active intellect, 
characterized by quickness of apprehension and sound- 
ness of judgment. And his mind was thoroughly dis- 
ciplined, for, under a sense of his responsibility to God, 
he had labored to strengthen and expand his powers to 
their utmost extent. In his case one principle was 
not made prominent at the expense of others, but there 
was a healthy and proportionate development of all the 
powers. Energy and perseverance were also striking 
traits of his character. Of this, his collegiate course 
furnisliL'S abundant evidence. Thrown to a great ex- 
tent upon his own resources, forced to employ a portion 
of his time in teaching others the rudiments of know- 
ledge, ho yet acquitted himself honorably and satisfac- 
torily in every department. Rut his effort was not con- 
fined to this period of life. From the moment he 
resolved upon the ministry, almost to the hour of death, 
his energies were devoted to his work. Every moment 
was employed to the full extent of his physical ability, 



ALFRED SAXE. 215 

and employed in the accomplishment of some high and 
noble object. 

But his was not a cold intellectuality merely. With 
a soul capable of the most lofty conceptions and daring 
efforts, able to enter upon the most abstruse specula- 
tions and the closest reasoning, he yet had a spirit that 
could feel and love. Entirely free from affectation, 
discarding that species of politeness which consists in 
forms and ceremonies, the kindness of his nature dis- 
posed him to urbanity and led him to treat all with 
courtesy and respect. None ever had cause to complain 
of rudeness or even indifference upon his part. By 
these amiable traits of character, he drew around him, 
wherever he moved, a circle of intelligent and devoted 
friends, who contributed to his happiness while thej'" 
shared in his affections. Of the strength of some of 
the attachments formed while at the University, abund- 
ant evidence is afforded in letters from two of his col- 
lege companions, who had their residence in the sunny 
south. To one of them he had written giving an ac- 
count of his illness and the prospect of approaching 
death. In reply under date of October 5th, he says, '* I 
could and would go over many dear reminiscences, but 
the pressure of present circumstances crowds them out 
of the field of view; the present, with its demands and 
emergencies, is all that I can regard. Now, first and 
foremost, come and spend the winter with me; come 
with railroad, yes, telegraphic speed to where the winds 
are soft, and the sunshine not frozen and driven back to 
heaven from ice mountains. Come, and if a warm heart, 
hearth and home can do you good, good shall be done 
you." The other, in a letter dated October 8th, says, 
*' Yesterday J. W. Burrus, of our immortal days, came 
to see us and told me of you and your condition. We 
talked of you much and kindly. It is needless to say, 



216 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

to attempt to say, what we both feel respecting your 
state of Iicalth. All the recollections of college scenes, 
youn^ hopes, social fellowship, tlic plans and prospects 
of tlie future, all the bubbles of the bright world then 
around and before us, bubbles, too many of them, though 
to our fancies brilliants pure and beautiful; all these 
came up to take the memory by storm, and make us 
feel the more keenly the present condition of our friend, 
my classmate. I was glad to hear that he had invited 
you to come south. Let me earnestly join my petition 
to his. I can not too earnestly entreat you to come. 
We can not spare you from our favored class. I have 
not heard that any of them have thinned our ranks by 
a premature exit. Yet they are all scattered, though 
all on earth. The pebbles, even, are precious to me, 
how then can I bear to lose the brilliants that gave the 
coronet its beauty ? I am but an humble member of 
that class, yet I love it and feel a pride in iis success, 
and the individual happiness of its members. Come, 
and spend the winter with us." 

Neither of these letters, so full of affection and con- 
dolence, were ever seen by him to whom they were ad- 
dressed, for his eye was closed in death long before they 
reached the place of their destination. 

But this deep affection of his nnture was especially 
manifested towards the members of his own household. 
The fond recollections of his home in northern Vermont, 
were cherished during his college life, and he often 
called to mind the happy inmates that gathered in that 
family circle. His mother, especially, was deeply shrined 
in his affrctions, and to her he unbosomed his soul with 
peculiar freedom. In a poetical epistle (for like most 
youthful aspirants after fame he did sometimes court 
the muses), addressed to her during his first year in col- 
lege, bo thus expresses the longing of his heart for 



ALFRED SAXE. 217 

home, and especially for the devotional services of that 
home, in which he had been accustomed to participate. 
" When the tasks and the toils of the day are over, 
My thoughts round the fireside softly hover, 
And I think how truly their hearts may rejoice, 
Who list to the sound of my mother's voice. 
I long to sit where I've sat before, 
Though the storm and wind without should roar, 
To read from the book that excels every other. 
To brothers and sisters, and father and mother." 
In one, written about a year later, he says: 
Oft in the silence of the midnight hour, 
When magic memory sways a potent power. 
When sleep deserts my pillow, and my brain 
Is restless with excitement, care and pain, 
My native mountains, in their azure hue, 
Seem pictured plainly to my gladdened view, 
I seem at once to go with wishes' speed, 
And with a sight of liome my wishes feed. 
Out comes a prattling group, with hasty feet, 
Their eldest brother's late return to greet. 
When the sun sinks far in the golden west, 
And my tired father sits him down to rest. 
When mother gets the food, prepares the tea, 
It seems as if one plate was set for me; 
And there I sit, where oft I've sat before, 
In the gray evening at the western door. 

He could say with truth : 

"^Like the sweet breezes from an orange grove 
Comes the soft influence of a mother's love." 
for he remembered, 

" Twas thou that watched my footsteps when a child, 
Grieved at my grief, and at my pleasure smiled. 
And when I grew a captious, thoughtless boy. 
To palliate my faults, afforded joy. 

While he thus poured the tide of his affection upon a 
mother's heart, he could sympathize with the joys of 
the youngest of that family group. At one of his visits 
to his home, a sister, then a laughing and prattling girl. 



218 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

presented licr album, and feeling the influence of the 
rural scenes around him in the opening spring time, ho 
wrote : 

The Sprinjr, the Sprinij, 

'Tis a plodsmt lliinj; 
With its sights and sounds of joy, 

I could run about, 

With u song and shout, 
And che lightsome heart of a boy. 

My heart is rife, 

With a glowing life, 
O, I love with Spring to commune; 

To bound in glee, 

O'er the sunny lee, 
Or list to the honey bee's tune. 

Then relapsing into one of his thou^i^htful moods, ho 
penned these words; words but too sadly realized in his 
early fate : 

But Spring will fade, 
And the forest glade 
Will soon wear the yellow leaf, 
Thus fades our pleasure, 
Though full the measure, 
And life, like the spring lime, is brief. 

Among the most striking characteristics of our de- 
parted brother was cheerfulness. "While he never suf- 
fered his mind to degenerate into levity or forget tho 
great object of existence, he would often lay aside for 
a time the sterner duties of life, and indulge in those 
innocent pleasantries, which cheer but never harm. 
And his habit of frequently unbending his mind from 
those mighty thoughts which usually engrossed it, and 
engaging in familiar and pleasing conversation with his 
friends, was one of the means by which its elasticity 
and vigor was preserved. And such was the strength of 
his hope, that he never allowed his mind to despond, 
and in the darkest hour he could always see light. Hopo 



ALFRED SAXE. 219 

contributed to his cheerfulness, while the cheerfulness of 
his nature animated and invigorated his hope. 

His character in this respect, is clearly described by 
one already referred to, Rev. L. L. Knox, Principal of 
East Maine Conference Seminary. *'The character of 
brother Saxe, as it lives in my recollection, had no 
strikingly bold traits; his life, so far as I saw it, had 
no remarkable passages. But the whole was radiant 
with a glow of kindlj^ and cheerful spirits, such as I do 
not recollect to have found in any other man. He always 
met his friends with a smile, and that smile was conta- 
gious, they caught it and were cheerful too. He some- 
times said, playfully, that he intended to laugh his way 
through the world. The last time I saw him, a few 
minutes in the spring of 1845, at his house in Albany, 
looking thin and sickly, I alluded to that remark of his 
and enquired if he still retained the same intention. 
* 0,' said he, ' my experience has some afflictions, but 
I believe I retain my cheerfulness very well.' That 
cheerfulness w^as not thoughtlessness, levity, frivolity.- 
He was often serious, sometimes solemn, and never did 
I know him to treat solemn things w^ith lightness. Never 
did I see the time that I should not have selected him 
as one of my religious friends. None who knew him 
lacked confidence in his piety, and happy would it be 
if the piety of Christians were more generally enlivened 
with something of his innocent and genial cheerfulness." 

Even the wasting power of disease, which so often 
causes despondency, and renders its victim restless 
and uneasy, had slight power upon his spirit. Every- 
thing around him w^ore the most cheerful aspect, and 
he was satisfied with his lot. A few days after his re- 
moval from his devoted friends in Albany, to a new field 
of labor among strangers, he writes in his wonted cheer- 
ful strain, to his brother: "Here we are, in the pret- 



220 



TROY CONFKRKNCE MISCELLANY. 



ticst village north otany where. It lies among the hills, 
about twenty-eight miles north-east of Troy, and within 
five miles, in a straight linc» from the Vermont line. 
So you see tee are not so far from home after all. The 
site of the village is very level, and the valley in which 
wo are hid away, is from one-half a mile to a mile in 
breadth, and extends several miles north and south, along 
the banks of a little mountain stream, called, from the 
purity of its waters. White creek. AVe have a house near- 
ly as nice, and quite like the one in Middletown. My 
garden contains nearly half an acre, which gives us 
plenty of room to raise onions and things, and a big 
piece for '* praties.'' The people seem very well pleased 
to have us among them, and pay us marked respect. 
The church is not quite as united as I could desire, but 
it is my business to try and improve matters; and, with 
the blessing of God upon my efforts, I have no doubt of 
success." 

Here is an example worthy Ihv adniiralion and imita- 
tion of every minister. Instead of faltering in view of 
obstacles, we behold the spirit of our brother rising 
above the influence of disease, and nerving itself for 
conflict with all that opposed the prosperity of the 
church. Instead of mourning over the unfortunate state 
of things, he felt that it was his " business to improve 
matters;" and he addressed himself to that work with 
zeal and earnestness, resolved, with the blessing of God, 
to accomplish it. 

As a Christian, he was consistent and devoted. With 
him, religion was a matter of principle, based upon a 
clear appreciation of the claims of God, and was, there- 
fore, efficient and uniform in its action upon the soul. 
His zeal was fervid, yet "according to knowledge;" 
prompting him in all his movements to consult the dic- 
tates of prudence, and leading him earnestly and deeply 



ALFRED SAXE. 221 

to study human character, and search for the hidden 
springs of action in the human heart, that he might 
adapt his efforts to the perverse nature of those he would 
save. It embraced in its intelligent and comprehen- 
sive view, every plan for the benefit of the race, and 
prompted to an efficient and active discharge of the 
duties of his office, even when his strength was wasting, 
and his material frame fast crumbling into ruin. 

To the great work of the Christian ministry, he came 
with a clear view of its responsibility, and a just appre- 
ciation of its honor. His sentiments are sufficiently 
indicated in a letter to the brother already alluded to, 
when first informed that he had determined to enter this 
calling. It bears date, September — ,1846, and was writ- 
ten when he had passed through the toils and privations 
of an itinerant ministry; had suffered all the disappoint- 
ment and pain consequent to such a spirit, when laid 
aside from activity and usefulness; when, indeed, from 
that calm retreat to which he had retired, he was able 
to look upon this world and the world to come, in their 
proportionate relations and importance. And it was writ- 
ten to a brother, for whom he felt a deep solicitude. He 
says: "Among many things in your letter, that please 
me, Godfrey, at one thing especially, I am greatly re- 
joiced. You have settled the question of duty, and re- 
mark, that, cost what it will, you are determined to do 
it. I have, I think, in a former letter, observed that 
in regard to one's duty in this life, no one can be a pro- 
per judge but the individual himself. Deep personal con- 
viction is the only firm foundation for any man, in decid- 
ing upon his life plan. Hence, I have refrained from 
attempting to persuade you in the choice of a profession. 
Not that I had no preference ; I had a powerful prefer- 
ence that you should select the ministry, and I will now 

say that, brother, you have * chosen the better part.* 
18 



222 TROY CONFERENCK 51ISCELLANT. 

You have chosen it, too, I am persuaded, upon a ground 
work of conviction so strong and satisfactory, that 
ncitlier tlie world, tlie flesh or the devil, nor all com- 
bined, can have power to shake the foundation of your 
faith, or the peace of your soul. Go on, and may you 
prosper. ' Having put your hand to the plough, look 
not back.' " 

As a preacher, brother Saxe was impressive and prac- 
tical. His subjects were well chosen, and in their elu- 
cidation he proceeded step by step, rendering each posi- 
tion impregnable, and making a deep impression upon 
the heart. He never came down upon his hearers with 
bold and startling propositions, or indulged in useless 
although pleasing speculations, which only leave a con- 
gregation bewildered and amazed, or lost in wonder at 
the daring and independence of the speaker, but turned 
his attention and the attention of his audience, to those 
truths connected with the dearest interests of man. 
And he labored so to present those subjects, as to rouse 
the heart and lead to action. It is not to be understood 
from this, that his sermons were purely declamatory. 
He had carefully studied the oracles of God, and ho 
endeavored to impress his hearers, by a presentation of 
their sublime and glorious truths. Yet he never sought 
to rouse the passions, while the intellect was involved in 
darkness. He knew that emotion thus produced, must 
be superficial and transitory, and he therefore labored 
to move the heart and sway the will, by pouring upon 
the darkened intellect the light of truth divine. His 
sermons were sometimes characterized by depth and 
consecutivcness of thought ; many of them by strong 
arguments upon the great doctrines of Christianity. 

His style was clear and forcible. Words were with 
him the media of thought, and he therefore selected 
those which would express his idea, in the clearest and 



ALFRED SAXE. 223 

most impressive manner. His language was pure' and 
chaste, correct in its construction, and adapted to the 
subject. There was no redundancy of words, no flights 
of the imagination, no pompous diction, to amuse and 
captivate his hearers; his strength was in the thought, 
and the clearness of the expression. One of the mem- 
bers of his last pastoral charge remarked, "Brother 
Saxe never employs a useless or unmeaning word." 

It was said of an eminent solicitor, in one of the east- 
ern states, in an early day, that none ever felt that he 
had made a great argument ; his thoughts were so clear, 
and flowed so naturally from his subject, and he made 
every thing so plain to the understanding, that all felt 
'^any one could argue such a cause." Such was, to some 
extent, the case with the subject of this sketch. His 
positions were so well selected and so strongly fortified, 
the transition from one to another so natural, the con- 
nection so apparent, the style of reasoning so easy, and 
so well calculated to promote thought in others, and 
the ideas so clearly expressed and so firmly fixed in the 
mind, that the whole seemed almost the product of their 
own reflection. The doctrines he proclaimed were thus 
deeply imprinted upon the memory, and became asso- 
ciated with all the thoughts and feelings, producing an 
efi*ect that time could not destroy. 

His manner in the pulpit was calm and dignified, yet 
earnest and affectionate. His gestures were few and 
appropriate, and all his action easy and graceful 
His voice, although seldom raised to an unnatural pitch, 
possessed compass and power. He always entered the 
pulpit as an ambassador for Christ; not to amuse, but 
to profit his hearers; and the solemnity and earnestness 
of his demeanor, always left the impression, that he be- 
lieved and felt the force of the truths he uttered. 

In social intercourse, he was pleasant and agreeable. 



221 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

He had trained his mind to adapt itself to circumstances, 
and was able to converse intelligently with the most 
refined, or come down to the ignorance of the most igno- 
rant, and instruct tliem in the way of life. Easy of 
access, and ailable in his intercourse, all felt at home 
in his presence, and conversed freely and without em- 
barrassment, even when conscious of his superiority. 
As a pastor, he was faithful and diligent, as far as his 
health would permit. Acting upon the principle, that 
he was to be the friend, rather than the ruler of his 
people, he entered into all their ftclings, sympathized 
with them in all their alllictions, and coiuiseled them in 
all their difficulties. When called to administer the dis- 
cipline of the church, he did it with tenderness, never 
appealing to his own authority, as a sufficient reason for 
his action, but laboring to convince all of the propriety 
of his course. And by this condescension, he rartly 
failed of preserving the peace and harmony of the church, 
while yet he succeeded in accomplishing his object. 

To us it appears mysterious, that one so well fitted for 
usefulness, should have been thus early called from the 
scenes of earth. But when we remember that he is not 
lost to the good, that he lives in another and a higher 
sphere, that those powers he so assiduously cultivated 
are still employed in the service of Him to whom they 
were devoted, the view is changed. What has been lost 
by earth, has been gained by heaven. And we who have 
lost his society here, feel a new interest in heaven, be- 
cause he has become one of its inhabitants, and look for- 
ward with holy hope to the hour when we shall rejoin 
him, and share his society in the world above. 



SAMUEL EIGHMET. 225 



EEV. SAMUEL EIGHMET. 

Blessed with a religious education, he feared God 
from a child. When about seventeen years of age, he 
was made the subject of converting grace. In 1813 he 
was licensed as an exhorter, and employed on the Dela- 
ware circuit. In 1814 he was received on trial by the 
New York Conference, and in due time graduated to 
orders in the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. He subsequently labored on Schenectady, 
Plattsburgh, Whittingham, Montgomery, Saratoga, 
Salisbury, Chatham, Ticonderoga, Bridport, Leicester, 
and Bern circuits. After spending twenty years in the 
active duties of the itinerant ministry, he was granted, 
at his own request, a supernumerary relation to the 
conference in 1834; which relation he held until 1846, 
when he was returned superannuated. 

As some of our readers may not understand the pre- 
cise sense in which the terms "supernumerary" and 
*' superannuated " are technically used by the Methodist 
church, it may not be amiss to say that " a supernumer- 
ary preacher is one so worn out in the itinerant service 
as to be rendered incapable of ipYea.c\img constantly, but, 
at the same time, is willing to do any work in the min. 
istry, which the conference may direct, and his strength 
enable him to perform." A superannuated preacher is 
one who is more fully disabled by age or infirmity, so 
that he can not be relied upon to do any eflfective ser- 
vice in the ministry, and consequently receives no 
appointment. 

Mr. Eighmey labored at a time, and in departments 
of the work, that involved great toil and privation, 
requiring withal great skill and economy in the man- 



226 TROV CONKKRBNCE MISCELLANY. 

agement of his temporalities, in order to avoid finan- 
cial embarrassment. Ho was not distinguished as a 
scholar, but was abundant in labors, and God owned 
his elForts, by giving him seals to his ministry. As the 
hcaj of a family he was greatly devoted to their wel- 
fare. He was also emphatically "given to hospitality." 

He was a man of great integrity and firmness in the 
discharge of his duty, both as a preacher and as a pastor. 
The following illustration of these virtues was com- 
municated to me by an aged member of our conference. 
When on B — , circuit Vt., he occupied a house belonging 
to a prominent member of the church, who was a trustee, 
recording steward, and class leader. He possessed 
probably more property than all the other Methodists 
in the town where he lived, and his house had long 
been a home for the preachers. This brother enter- 
tained, however, very loose notions of the sanctity of 
the sabbath. One Sunday, after attending church, he 
yoked up his oxen and engaged in drawing in hay from 
a meadow adjoining the parsonage, and in the presence 
of the preacher. This was done in a pleasant after- 
noon, when his Congrcgationalist neighbors were gather- 
ing to hold a conference meeting in a school house 
near by. 

So glaring an outrage on Christian morality, grieved 
the members of our society in the place, and deeply 
mortified their pastor. It was a wanton desecration of 
the holy sabbath, and greatly scandalized Methodism. 
l"^rly the next morning, Mr. Klghmey called on him, 
but he justified his course. Again and again belabored 
to convince him of having sinned, but all in vain. The 
brother laughed at him for being so superstitious. 
Nothing remained but to call him before a committee 
for trial. The ofTending brother defied him, and said 
there was not a man in the society where he belonged 



SAMUEL EIGHMEY. 227 

that would dare lift his hand to condemn him. But the 
preacher knew he was not confined to that particular 
society to obtain a committee; he would call in brethren 
from any part of the circuit over which he had the 
pastoral charge. He did so. To this course the 
brother objected, having good reason to fear the result. 
He therefore employed a celebrated lawyer to defend 
him, and invited all around him to be present, and see 
him "break down " the preacher. 

When the time for trial arrived, he, his lawyer, and 
friends were early on hand. The school house was so 
filled, that it was with much difficulty the preacher and 
the committee could gain admittance. The trial was 
opened by prayer, and the brother was asked if he had 
any objection against any of the brethren appointed to 
try the case. His lawyer arose and objected to all of 
them, on the ground that they were not members of the 
class to which the accused belonged, and intimated 
that if he proceeded to try him before that committee, 
he would commence a civil prosecution. 

Mr. Eighmey replied that he was proceeding accord- 
ing to the discipline and usages of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church; that when the accused united with the 
church, he agreed to abide by its rules, and if he violat- 
ed them, he agreed that a committee of his brethren, 
living any where within the pastor's charge, should 
judge his case; so he read the rules of discipline, and 
remarked in his peculiar Dutch style, *' Squire; you 
remind me of a Frenchman I conversed with a tew weeks 
ago. I undertook to talk with him about religion, and 
he replied, * I know nothing of your American religion, 
my religion is the Canada religion.' So I think, Squire, 
you know nothing of the Methodist law; you only un- 
derstand the Canadian, or Vermont law.*' 

The people all perceived that the Squire and his 



ttS TKOY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

client were lamo, and set up an nproaroiis laugh; but 
the Squire rallied again, when Mr. Eighmey called him 
to order, and perceiving that nothing could be done in 
such a mob, he arose and said, "The trial is adjourned 
to meot irnriu'diati'ly in a private room over the way, 
where none will be admitted but the accused, and his 
counsel, the committee, and the witnesses in the case." 
He immediately led the way to tlie place designated; 
but the case of the accused, with such an array of testi- 
mony against him, was so hopeless, that neither he nor 
his lawyer attended. The trial went on, and the 
offending brother was expelled. 

With the external appearance of an honest Dutchman, 
and a real sincerity of heart, he combined a shrewdness 
that was not a little surprising to those who were but 
supcrfuiiilly acquainted with him. 

The following incident was communicated by Rev. A. 
A. Farr. 

* I recollect attending a camp-meeting some years 
since in Brandon, when brother Eighmey was one of the 
preachers. Me preached one evening from John iii, 16. 
' God so loved,' &c. During the first part of the sermon 
he seemed somewhat embarrassed, but as he proceeded 
liis heart warmed with his subject, and the good in- 
fluence spread through the congregation. ' Brethren,* 
said he, in his quaint Dutch manner, ' I am glad that 
the presiding elder asked me to preach this evening, I 
preached on this same text one week ago last sabbath 
in the afternoon, and God Almighty converted two 
souls, and if he will convert two more to-night, I will 
preach on it again to morrow morning. In concluding 
bis sermon, as he was exhorting the brethren, to 
come up to their jirivihge. ' 0/' said he. That God 
Mmi>j;htij itould rub //is hand over his church, and make 
it sfiiiie like a jiew dollar.''* 



WILLIAM ANSON. 229 

In his last illness, Mr. Eiglimey was frequently vis- 
ited by Rev. Joel Squier, to whom he expressed his 
resignation to the divine will, assuring him that death 
had no terrors. On the day of his departure he said to 
his friends, " It is easy dying.-'' He died at his residence 
in Duanesburgh, Schoharie county, N. Y., March 4, 
1847, in the sixtieth year of his age. 



REV. WILLIAM ANSON. 

Father Anson belonged to a former generation. At 
the time of his death, he had been laid aside from the 
active duties of the ministry, about twenty-five years; 
so that he was but little known by either the preachers 
or people of the present generation. 

His father, Mr. James Anson, was a member of an 
aristocratic family in England, and a student of Oxford. 
In early life he formed an attachment to a young lady, 
who, being below him in her circumstances, was sent 
to this country at the instigation of his father, with a 
view to prevent their marriage. Mr. Anson came to 
this country in quest of the object of his affection, but 
never succeeded in finding her. He is said to have 
been subsequently a secretary under Gen. Washington 
in the time of the revolution. Two of his sons, broth- 
ers of the subject of this sketch, fell in the revolutionary 
struggle. 

William Anson learned in early life the carpenter's 
trade, and when about twenty-six years of age, went 
from the city of New York to assist in building a church 
at White Plains, where he became the subject of con- 
verting grace. The yellow fever, which was then pre- 



230 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY, 

vailing in New York, was the means, under God, of 
loading him to reflection and repentance. 

Ho joined the New York Conference in 1800, in com- 
pany with Henry Eames, Henry Ryan, Samuel Merwin, 
and other pioneers of Methodism, and went to labor 
and suffer with Jewel, Sawyer, and their few associates, 
in the wilds of Canada, where he continued two years. 
The author of the Memorials of Metliodism says, ho 
"did heroic service in Canada, New York, and New 
England." The following account of his labors on his 
second charge is from the pen of Rev. Ward Bullard. 

*' In June, 18D2, the conference was held in New 
York city; to which he repaired, a distance of four 
hundred miles or upwards from his remote circuit, was 
ordained deacon, admitted into full connection, and ap- 
pointed to Grand Isle, a circuit then entirely new. He 
might have thought his appointment a hard one, and 
have been somewhat despondent, particularly when he 
was informed that the inhabitants of his circuit were 
' a savage race.' He, however, was undaunted, and of 
the right age, being about thirty-four, to be qualified by 
vigor, both of body and mind, and maturity of judg- 
ment, to introduce the gospel into new ground. Confer- 
ence was over. With his new credentials as deacon, 
and in full connection with his companions in toil, con- 
secrated to the service of his divine Master, and with a 
heart burning with love to God and man, he mounted 
liis steed and directed his course towards his distant 
charge. No steamer, car, or even stage, then existed 
through porlions of his journey. The region in which 
his circuit lay, still possessed much of the rudeness and 
discomfort of a new country. There were no stately 
mansions with parlors, carpets, and sofas, to receive 
him; nevertheless, he found hospitality on his way, and 
if tliere were not all tlie refinements and delicacies that 



WILLIAM ANSON. 231 

now exist, his toil made every meal a luxury, and 
brought sweet sleep to every resting place. After sev- 
eral days of toilsome travel, he arrived at the Bar, on 
the eastern shore of the lake. He surveyed the Grand 
Isle, then directly before him, and but a mile or two 
distant. He was at length about to step upon his field 
of labor, but upon ground untrodden before by the itin- 
erant: unattended by any colleague, with no one to in- 
troduce him, with no kind family that he had ever heard 
of to receive him, without a solitary acquaintance, or 
even a letter of introduction to open his way before him. 
In this state of things he was not without some misgiv- 
ings. The Bar could not then be forded, on account of 
high water, and a float or raft was the only ferry. On 
this he embarked and proceeded for a distance, but a 
wind blew him back. He embarked the second time 
with a like result. He made the matter a subject of 
prayer and reflection, and concluded to try once more, 
and if he should not succeed in reaching the island, he 
should regard it as an indication that the Lord had not 
sent him. His third trial was successful. 

*' He introduced himself to the first person he met upon 
the island, as a minister of the gospel, and inquired for a 
place to preach on the next day, it being the sabbath, 
but could learn of none. On his inquiry for a tavern, 
he received for answer, that there was one about two 
miles distant, but, added the informant, ' I believe they 
have.no rum at present.' Eum in those days was es- 
sential to a tavern. He rode to the tavern, nothing 
troubled on account of the thing lacking, and put up 
for the night. Here he introduced himself as a minister, 
and asked for a place to preach on the following day. 
His host, a Captain Dixon, was a member of the Con- 
gregational Church; the landlady, and now his widow, 
has long been a member of our church, and from her 



232 TROV CONFERENCE MI8CET.LANV. 

I have gatluTcil many interesting particulai*s, but want 
of room will not allow my tomnumicating but a few of 
them. Permission for preaching in the tavern was 
granted, and notice of the expected service was sent 
around. Arrangements being made for the sabbath, Mr. 
Anson retired to rest. At break of day the following 
morning, he was waked by the firing of cannon. Ho 
looked through his window and saw some men in the 
street with a field-piece, who had commenced the cel- 
ebration of the 4th of July, whicli occurred that year on 
the sabbath. Surely, thought he, there must be some 
cause for the information he had received, that the peo- 
ple of these islands are a savage race, if they are more 
careful to celebrate Independence, when it occurs on 
the sabbath, than they are to keep the Lord's day. 

•' The fact that a Methodist preacher was on the island, 
and was going to preach, produced quite a sensation, 
and drew together a full congregation; and after Mr. 
Anson had delivered his message, the matter and man- 
ner of his preaching alTorded th>? people abundant ma- 
terial for thought and conversation. 

" lie proceeded to organize his circuit, in doing which 
he scattered his appointments over the islands, and ex- 
tended them into Canada. In prosecuting his work, Mr. 
Anson met with no small amount of difficulty. Though 
his congregations were fair, and there were enough to 
extend to him their generous hospitalities, the general- 
ity of the people received him coldly. Those that were 
religious belonged to other denominations, had their 
prejudices against the Methodists, and looked upon him 
with distrust, and some even with despite. 

*' If I am correctly informed, only three first gave 
their names as probationers; but the leaven continued 
to work, and others were soon added. Anson preached 
in barns, in private houses (mostly, then, log cabins), 



WILLIAM ANSON. 233 

in school houses, and sometimes in the grove; and so 
did his successors for many years. Sometimes the per- 
mission to preach in a given place was allowed but a 
short time, when a new place must be sought. 

"Mr. Anson was faithful in his labors, and was favored 
of the Lord. A revival prevailed, classes were formed, 
and a permanent circuit was established. At the 
close of the year, he returned one hundred and two church 
members.'" 

In 1803, he labored on Vergennes circuit, Vt.; the 
next year he returned to Canada. In 1805, he traveled 
Pittsfield circuit, Mass., and, in 1806, South Britain. 
The next year, he took charge of the Ashgrove district, 
and superintended, during four years, the labors of Sam- 
uel Draper, Lewis Pease, Marvin Richardson, Phineas 
Rice, Tobias Spicer, Arnold Scholefleld, John Finne- 
gan, and other strong men. At the expiration of his 
term of service he was transferred to the Rhinebeck 
district, which at that time extended from Rhinebeck, 
on the Hudson, to New Haven, on Long Island Sound. 
During his surperintendency of this large field of labor, 
he commanded a powerful corps of preachers. His 
subsequent appointments were, in 1812-13, Dutchess; 
1814-15, Rhinebeck; 1816-17, Saratoga; 1818-19, Pitts- 
town; 1820-1, Chatham; all in New York ; and, in 1822^ 
Pittsfield, Mass. 

"In 1823, he retired from effective service, and 
was returned supernumerary. He sought repose on 
his farm, at Malta, Saratoga county, N. Y. In the 
spring of 1847, he was attacked by paralysis, and ra- 
pidly declined in body and mind, until he entered the 
heavenly rest, on the 17th of July, J848, He joined 
the itinerant ministry when it was beset with privations, 
and imposed labors which tried the souls of the bravest 

men. * He had his full share of hardships,' say his 
19 



i31 TROY CONPERENCE MISCELLANY. 

colaborcrs, ' but he never flinched.' lie was the pio- 
neer of Methodism in many places, and carried the 
proclamation of free salvation into the wildernesses of 
Vermont, northern New York and Canada. His piety 
is pronounced undoubted, his integrity sterling, and 
bis talents respectable. lie was laborious and useful, 
and his preaching plain and powerful. The name of 
such a man sliould not be allowed to perish." — {Memo- 
rials of Methodism, 2d series, 193-4.) 

Mr. Anson was a genuine specimen of an old-fashioned 
Methodist preacher. With him the old method of war- 
fare became stereotyped. lie was influential and useful 
in his day; to subsequent changes he never adapted 
himself. As a presiding elder, he is said, by the older 
preachers who knew him, to have acquitted himself 
well. One of them remembers that lie cured him of 
what has been termed the ** holy grunt." His preach- 
ing, dress, and general deportment, were characteristic 
of the first race of Methodist preachers. In common 
with many of them he had a vein of humor, which ho 
sometimes indulged, when in the society of his brethren, 
otherwise he was grave and dignified. He possessed a 
very strong constitution, and had ample opportunity of 
testing its power of endurance. He possessed the confi- 
dence of his cotemporarics in the ministr}', and greatly 
enjoyed their society. 

While presiding elder of the Ashgrove district, he 
married the daughter of Gen. Samuel Clark, of Malta, 
Saratoga county, N. Y., by whom he had two sons and 
four daughters, some of whom arc now worthy members 
of the church of which their father was, for nearly half 
a century, a minister. 



ELIAS VANDERLIP. 236 



REY. ELIAS VANDERLIP. 

"An old disciple." 
For many years a venerable '* old disciple " might be 
seen from sabbath to sabbath occupying the same spot 
in the altar, just under the pulpit, of the old Division 
street church, in the city of Albany. The few hairs 
that, like him on whose head they appeared had out- 
lived their companions, were of a silvery whiteness. 
An air of pleasant animated devotion always attended 
him, and he joined in the various acts of worship, with a 
hearty cheerfulness that exerted a most happy influence 
on all who beheld him. That disciple was the Rev. 
Elias Vanderlip. The wife of one of the former devoted 
pastors of that church, affected bj* his devout simplicity 
and venerable piety, penned the following lines. 

** I love beneath that sacred desk. 

To see ihee, sitting there 
60 calm, so thoughtful, listening to 

The voice of praise and prayer. 

I love to gaze on thy pale brow, 

So furrowed o'er with years, 
It tells thou'st passed through many a scene 

Of joys, of hopes, and fears. 

Methinks there is a holier calm. 

Thou sire of the silver hair. 
Around that sacrel altar place. 

When thou art sitting there. 

Farewell, farewell, thou man of God, 
Would thou would'st pray for me, 
^ For God hath said such prayer as thine, 
Shall not unanswered be." 

J.S, 



236 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

Elias Vanderlip was born at Carl's Neck, on Statcn 
Island, February 10, 1705. His f'atber, who was an 
Kpiscopaliun, was drowned when Elias was very young. 
His mother was a Methodist for some thirty or forty 
years. He was brouglit up to the trade of a shoe- 
maker, in the city of New York, and was an eye witness 
of many interesting incidents which occurred in and 
about that city, connected with the revolutionary strug- 
gle. These he used to relate in his old age with great 
complacency. His early religious and educational ad- 
vantages were not the most favorable. The general 
laxity of morals always attendant upon that scourge of 
humanity, war, was prevalent in his early associations. 
He was awakened and converted to God, in the cradle 
of American Methodism, the John street church, in 
1787, under the preaching of John Dickens. This was 
then, and for several years afterwards, our only house 
of worship in that city. His first public efforts in the 
cause of Christ, were in the little settlements near New 
York, where his labors were owned of God. " About 
1792, my mind," he says, ** began to be exercised about 
my duty to preach. I stated my feelings to Thomas 
Morrell, then stationed in the city. He said, * Go and 
preach,' which constituted :ny only commission for some 
time thereafter. Accordingly I went to Bull's Ferry 
and exhorted the people, under the rocks there, to re- 
pentance and faith; and, blessed be God, I saw some 
fruits of my toil. Occasionally, also, I preached, in my 
stammering way, to the people in the suburbs of the 
city." In 179G, he left New York, where he had been 
in business for some years, and opened a shoe store in 
the city of Albany, which, however, was soon destroyed 
by fire. He then removed to Niskayuna, a few miles 
north-west of Albany, where he engaged in farming, 
officiating as he had opportunity as a local preacher. 



ELIAS VAXDERLIP. 237 

Ilis efforts in that place were the means of the conver- 
sion of many souls, of the formation of a society, and 
of the erection of the first Methodist Epiacopal church 
in that region. In 1802 he was received on trial as a 
traveling preacher, in company with Andrew McKain, 
Samuel Howe, Nathan Bangs, and a number of others. 
His first appointment was to the old Pittsficld circuit, 
as the colleague of Moses Morgan. The latter with- 
drew, and Samuel Howe filled his place. At this time 
the entire membership in the United States was less 
than eighty-seven thousand. In those days the large 
circuits required the utmost energies of a robust con- 
stitution. What conceivable motive, but the love of 
souls, could have induced the preachers of those days 
to perform the labors, and endure the obloquy, to which 
they were subjected, for which, so far as their temporal 
interests were concerned, they received the most meagre 
pecuniary compensation. 

Mr. Vanderlip was returned to Pittsfield a second 
year, during which he received a youth into the church, 
who has since served at her altars for more than forty 
years, with uncommon fidelity, has held a prominent 
place in her councils, and contributed to her useful lit- 
erature. That youth was Tobias Spicer. In 1804, Mr. 
Vanderlip was admitted, in company with Robert R. 
Roberts, William Ryland, and others of precious mem- 
ory, into full connection, and ordained by Bishop Asbury 
to the office of a deacon. He was stationed on Cam- 
bridge circuit, Phineas Cook being his assistant, and 
God gave them great success, especially on that part of 
the circuit then known as Thurman's Patent. In 1805 
he was stationed in Albany, our only house of worship 
in that city then being the small building standing on 
the corner of Pearl and Orange streets. Serious divi- 
sions had existed in that society, and it is said this ap- 



•38 TR'^Y CONFERKNCE MISCELLANY. 

pointment was made in view of that fact. During the 
early history of Methodism, the provision for the sup- 
port of the ministry was so utterly inadequate to meet 
the wants of a large family, that hundreds of most 
wortliy men were compelled to locate in order to avoid 
the condemnation of those who fail to ** provide for 
those of their own house;*' and as Mr. Vanderlip's 
family had become large, he was induced, much against 
his inclination, to locate at the dose of his term of scr- 
yice in Albany. In 1807 he was readjnittcd, and trav- 
eled Ulster circuit, but in 1808, for the same reasons 
that inQuenccd him two years before, he again located. 

From 18C8 to 1838 he resided in Albany, preaching 
frequently in and around the city, as he had calls and 
opportunities, and identifying himself with all the inte- 
rests of the church of his early choice. Mrs. Vanderlip 
Laving died inl83G, and his sons and daughters being all 
married and settled in life, he, in 1838, entered the 
itinerant ranks in the Troy Conference, in the seventy- 
fourth year of his age. It could not, of course, be ex- 
pected that he could do much service at that advanced 
period of life, but his heart was greatly set upon the 
work, from which he had been driven by uncontrollable 
circumstances. He was anxious to die in the harness. 
lie was appointed to the Johnstown circuit; but before 
the year closed, the inlirmitics of age compelled hira 
again to retire from the field. The next year he was 
returned supernumerary, and the following year, 1840, 
superannuated, in which relation he died. 

During the last years of his life, he patiently suffered 
much. Some five months before his death, he had the 
misfortune to break his thigh, which greatly aggravated 
bis sufferings. In a tihort account of himself, which he 
dictated to his family, about four months previous to his 
death, he says: *' lam now, in my eighty-fourth year. 



ELIAS VANDERLIP. 



239 



stretched on my couch with a broken thigh. I expect j 

no more to mingle in the busy scenes of life. The sin- | 

ners whom I have invited to repent, and believe in Jesus, i 

will hear my voice no more. My soul, however, is 
happ}'', very happy. I have no fears of death. I am 
prepared, through the riches of divine grace and the i 

blood of the atonement, for my great change. I am 
anxious to leave these sublunary scenes, this world of 
trial and change, and be with my blessed Jesus. I long 
for the messenger to come. Glory to God! come, 
Lord Jesus, come quickly!" He died at the residence 
of his son, Mr. George R. Vanderlip, with whom he had 
lived for some years, in the city of Albany, September 
3, 1848, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. 

Father Vanderlip made no pretensions to superior in- 
tellectual endowments, or literary acquirement, or to 
being a gi-eat preacher. He was a cheerful, lively, zeal- 
ous Christian. He loved to talk on religious subjects. 
Prayer and praise were his delight. His preaching was 
practical, and calculated to cheer and encourage the 
<;)hristian to the exercise of faith and hope in God. He 
dwelt, with great frequency and pleasure, on the love of 
the Savior to a ruined world. His exhortations were 
often productive of the most happy effects. To Method- 
ism, he was ardently and unwaveringly attached, during 
his long life. 

In his old age, he was remarkably pleasant and agree- 
able. As he advanced in years, he evidently grew in 
grace, so that for some time previous to his death, he 
was very happy in God his Savior. He loved the means 
of grace, and delighted to work in the cause of Christ. 
He was no croaker. He did not imagine that the spirit 
of God had left the church, nor that vital piety had died 
with the fathers. There was a cheerful simplicity and 
godly sincerity about him, that won the hearts of young 



240 TUUY CONKEUKNCE MISCELLANY. 

and old. During liis last sickness, lie was patient and 
joyful in liope of liis appointed cliangc. of(en shouting 
aloud the praises of God. When worliliy matters were 
the loj)i(.s of eoversation, he sjemed to take no notiee of 
it; but when the subject of religion was introdueed, ho 
exhibited a lively interest in all that was said. Ho 
used to say that, *' he was pluming his wings for his 
llight;*' and at oilier times, that he was all "packed 
up, and waiting to go when the Master should tall him." 
He died peacefully, in a good old age, and was gath- 
ered to his fathers. 



REV. JOHN I). ^fORIAl^TY. 



BY REV. JOHN E. BOWEN. 



John D. Moriarty, the subject of the following me- 
moir, was born in the town of Bedford, Westchester 
county, N. Y., Aug. 1st, 1793. He was a son of Peter 
Moriarty, one of the early Methodist preachers, and 
** another example of that powerful influence which 
Methodism exerted, in its early days, over the popular 
mind; subduing the prejudices of education, and smiting 
with resistless religious convictions, all classes of men 
who came within reach of its ministrations." (Memorials 
of Meth. 2d s. p. 114.) 

His father was born of Roman Catholic parents, and 
had his early education aiul religious training under that 
system of error. At the age of sixteen, he providen- 
tially heard the gospel preached by a Methodist itiner- 
ant, who found his way to the ncigliborhood where his 
father resided, when it pleased the Lord to open his 



JOHN D. MORIARTY. 241 

eyes to see himself a sinner, and that all his former 
** confessions to the priest were delusions of Satan," and 
that he was still in the broad road that led to hell. 
•' My distress," he writes, " was inconceivably great, I 
was afraid of God and man, I could neither eat, drink, or 
sleep for some time, I felt such a pressing load of guilt." 
It was then affirmed, by priest and people, that the 
Methodists had made him distracted, and his father, 
looking upon him as a disgrace to the family, threatened 
to turn him away from his home if he did not desist: 
a threat he subsequently put into execution. He applied 
himself to reading the scriptures and prayer, until God 
spoke deliverance to his soul, and ushered in the day of 
salvation and hope. He became at once a shining light. 
He entered the itinerant ranks, and for thirty-four years 
swept across the country from south to north, a coadju- 
tor in that band of early Methodist pioneers who have 
won such noble trophies to Christ, and left a fragrant 
memory and influence on earth. He died as the Christ- 
ian warrior wishes to die, with his armor on, and in the 
field. 

His son, the subject of the present sketch, was awak- 
ened and converted at the age of fourteen years, though 
he did not always, in his early days, enjoy the life and 
power of religion in his soul. Not long after his con- 
version, he so far backslid as to omit the outward forms 
of religion. He was aroused to a sense of his duty in 
the following manner: The Rev. John Crawford, of 
precious memory in the church, was visiting at his fa- 
ther's, and in his presence was discoursing respecting 
the spiritual condition and prospects of his family. He 
asked in regard to John, "And what is your son?" The 
father replied, " he is a, nothingarian.'* This called out 
the expression from the son, " I have my principles." 
'* Yes," replied the faithful minister, " corn stalks with' 



2 12 TUUY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

out corn.** This singular reply struck homo conviction 
to his soul, and was the means of calling him out into 
active and eflkient Christian life. He immediately 
united with the church, at the age of twenty, and thence 
forward to the hour of his death, maintained a consist- 
ent, and as far as health permitted, an active Christian 
life. Not long after this he was married to Anne Laird, 
who shared his labors and toils till death dissolved the 
connection. 

In the fall of 1813 or IHI I, he removed to Albany, 
and became connected with the Division Street Church. 
Here his piety and talents were appreciated, and he was 
elected a trustee; and soon after, without solicitation 
on his part, was licensed to exhort. The pastor not 
long after said to him, *' Brother Moriarty, the people 
complain of you, and say you preach; you had better 
have license to do so," and accordingly gave it. At 
the next session of the New York Conference, he joined 
the traveling connection, and was appointed to Coeymans 
circuit, with Gershom Pierce, as his colleague. He 
traveled this circuit two years, and saw the work of 
God revived, and many sinners brought into the king- 
dom. 

The next two years he traveled Kingston circuit, and 
the two following, Newburgh. Here he had many difli- 
culties to contend with in the church, such as left upon 
his mind a very unpleasant influence, and he always 
looked back to those two years as the most arduous 
and trying of his ministry. From Newburgh, he M-as 
removed to Fonda's Bush, and, during his two years 
there, was favored with some gracious seasons of re- 
vival. His next appointment was Johnstown circuit. 
Of his labors there, his colleague, the Rev. M. Bates, 
writes: " I was with him on Johnstown circuit, 
during his second year. Brother Moriarty was greatly 



JOHN D. MORIARTT. 243 

esteemed there. His influence was extensive and salu- 
tary. A church was built in the village of Johnstown, 
through his instrumentality. He was mild, dignified 
and energetic. During this year, those afflictions com- 
menced (a partial paralysis of his lower extremities), 
which laid him aside from his labors, and attended him 
more or less through the remainder of his days. During 
the last half of the year, he was able to perform but 
little labor. The year was, to him, one of great afflic- 
tion and temporal embarrassment, perhaps the most so 
of his whole life. While physically prostrated, he had 
a large family of young children dependant upon him." 

At the close of this year, the colleagues set off to- 
gether, to attend the session of the conference, in the 
city of New York. They rode to Coeymans, and then 
took the steamboat for New York. In getting on board, 
they were obliged to take a small boat from the shore, 
to meet the small boat of the steamer. Brother Mori- 
arty was heavy, and had but little use of his lower 
limbs. As he was getting from one small boat to the 
other, they were separated by the waves, and he was 
with the utmost difficulty saved from a watery grave. 
Brother Bates remarks : *'T love to cherish the recol- 
lections of my association with John D. Moriarty, as 
my colleague. I was then but in the third year of my 
ministry, and his kind, communicative, gentlemanly and 
Christian deportment, was, to me, alike pleasing and 
profitable." At the close of this conference, his name 
was announced in connection with Saratoga circuit. 
To this charge he removed with beclouded prospects, 
and a heavy heart. Here closed his itinerant labors. 
His failing health continued to decline, and ended in 
confirmed prostration. 

In the month of April, 1831, he removed his family 
to Saratoga Springs, to try the healing power of its 



244 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

mineral fountains, lie went there a confirmed invalid, 
80 utterly prostrated that he was unable to move, ex- 
cept on crutches. He hired a small dwelling, and with 
his family entered it. At the close of the first year, 
he purchased that dwelling, which afterward expanded 
into the proportions and character of the Congress 
Spring Temperance House, of which he was proprietor, 
eighteen years. Here he was appointed to take charge 
of the Springs congregation, and often in his own house 
held class and prayer meetings, and sometimes public 
preaching. He often ofiiciated in the pulpit, sitting in 
a chair, after having been borne there by his brethren. 
Gradually he recovered the use of his limbs, but was 
never afterward able to take an appointment, and 
sustained, up to his death, a superannuated relation. 

The society at the Springs was feeble at that time. 
Methodism was comparatively unknown, or unfavorably 
regarded, and but few attended upon its ministrations. 
Identifying himself with this feeble society in all hia 
feelings and interest, he labored assiduously and suc- 
cessfully, to promote the welfare of the church of his j 
choice. He saw the place of her tents enlarged and 
•• the curtains of her habitation stretched forth " until 
" the little one became a thousand." Whatever apper- j 
tained to the interests of the church was of paramount 
importance to him. The interest of the cause of God 
was his interest, the prosperity of the church a cause of 
deep rejoicing, and whatever conduced to this result 
received his cooperation and support. 

During the winter and spring of 1848, a gracious 
revival of religion visited the place, in which some of his 
family were converted, and he himself shared largely in 
labors and in blessings. It was observed by many, who 
had been long acquainted with him, that he manifested 



JOHN D. MORI ARTY. 245 

an unusual interest and engagedness in religion, and an 
evident ripening for heaven. 

The last sabbath but one that he spent on earth, was 
in the house of God, and one of unusual interest to 
him. He bowed for the last time at the sacramental 
board, and there commemorated the sufferings and death 
of our divine Redeemer. When that table was ap. 
proached shortly after by some of his children, who had 
lately found redemption in the blood of atonement, his 
heart was too full to speak, and the tears coursing down 
his cheek, told of strong emotion and joy within. 

His death was sudden and unlooked for, but the mes- 
senger found him ready. His illness was of such a char- 
acter as to admit of but little converse, but that was 
satisfactory. To an aged friend, who stood by his bed 
side as the lamp of life burnt feebly in its socket, and 
inquired the prospect before him, he replied, ""Glory 
to God, all is clear,'' and his last testimony, uttered in 
presence of his brethren, respected the preciousness 
of religion, and the glorious prospect it opened to his 
vision of immortality beyond the tomb. On the morn- 
ing of June 18th, 1849, in the presence of his family, he 
fell asleep, in holy tranquility, and now rests forever 
from his labors. 

As a citizen, in the community where he was best 
known, he was highly respected, and his loss deeply 
felt. As a Christian, he was esteemed and honored, and 
his faithful admonitions and counsels, his prayers and 
entreaties, have had an impressive effect upon the minds 
of many with whom he had intercourse. 

As a minister, he was laborious and successful, with 
fearless heart uttering the startling truths of the Bible, 
or administering discipline in the church. He never 
shrank from responsibility, and whether his duty was 
pleasant or painful to himself, he did it fearless of re- 
20 



24G TROV CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

•ults. Many will long remember him for his earnest 
and faitliful pulpit ministrations; many for his faithful 
Christian labors, after disease had laid him aside from 
active life; many for his gentlemanly and Christian 
deportment as the proprietor of an extensive boarding 
house ; and many no doubt will be the stars in his crown 
of rejoicing, in that day when God shall make up the 
number of his jewels. 



KK\'. WILLIAM RYDER* 

*' These are they which came out of great tribulation." 

Religion never appears more lovely tlian when, as an 
angel of light, she waits on sulfering humanity, sooth- 
ing the sorrows, and calming the anguish of the afflicted 
one, by placing the cup of divine consolation in his 
band, and pointing him to the blessed regions where 
gighing never comes. Some of the finest exhibitions of 
the divinity and power of Christianity with which the 
world has been favored, have been seen in its power to 
sustain the spirit, and inspire submission and hope, in 
the midst of severe, complicated, and protracted suf- 
ferings. 

Kev. W. Ryder was emphatically a son of affliction. 
Some idea of what it pleased God to call him to pass 
through, may be derived from the following graphic, 
•ketch by the author of the Superannuate. 

* For a more full account of this extraordinary victim of disease, the 
readiT is referred to his life, entitled the Suj>erannuate, from which 
iDUch 01 this article is derived. 



WILLIAM RYDER. 



247 



**A hard sabbath-day's labor, and a long ride on 
horseback, in a damp, heavy snow-storm, were, one 
year later, the precursors of a second appearance of 
those excruciating pains, that thenceforth entrenched 
themselves in the hips, and gradually extended their 
conquests until every part of the system, except the 
strongholds of life, acknowledged submission to their 
terrible sway. Severe as were these tortures, there 
were not, at this period, any outward signs of their ex- 
istence, there was no swelling, no external inflamma- 
tion; but in the difficult process of lying down or rising 
up, ' the joints.' to use the invalid's own language, 
* would crack and snap as if breaking.' In a few weeks 
the affection passed, sympathetically, to the stomach 
and lungs, respiration became difficult, expectoration 
constant, attended with various symptoms of consump- 
tion. At a later period, the spine curved, the knees 
and hips bent, the neck stiffened, and an erect posture 
was no longer possible. Each of these localities was 
the seat of heavy throbbings and of pains, shooting, 
zig-zag, and radiating. The arms and shoulders next 
became victims, and the sensations were those of the 
criminal upon the rack when strong cords are cutting 
the flesh, and rending every limb from its socket; one 
arm was actually dislocated, and the other prevented 
only by a cruel counteracting force from sharing the 
fate of its fellow. The hips were ' filled with daggers,* 
and transient, fugitive pains and aches pursued each 
other across the breast and over the neck and arms, 
like the restless lightnings of a summer evening horizon. 
At times it seemed that a strong cord was twisted 
about his waist, above which the pains were darting and 
incessant, while below there was a sense of excessive 
fullness, hard throbbings, and dull, heavy aches. A 
year later, his spasms, previously occasional, became 



248 TROY CONFBBENCE MISCELLANY. 

general, passed into settled cramp, and frequent and 
severe convulsions. These were followed by an * op- 
pressive stnse of heat,' as if the subject were stretched 
upon Guatiinozin's bed of coals, or as if ' ten thousand 
red-hot needles' were thrust into his tiesh at once. It 
is impossible to conceive, far more to describe, by ap- 
propriate comparisons, the variety and virulence of the 
tortures he endured. Now, it seemed as if ' a strong 
man was wriniriug him limb from limb,' and then as if a 
score of malignant spirits silently fastened upon his 
pained extremities, and, at a concerted signal, tweaked 
every nerve and muscle, with such violence as to extort 
from the sulferer a howl of anguish; now, he was 
* pierced with a thousand spears,' and now. the * barbs 
of a thousand hooks,' connected with invisible weights, 
were inserted in his neck and scalp. In fine, the his- 
tory of the last ten or twelve years of liis life, is a his- 
tory of pains and aches, of cramps, convulsions, and 
spasms, of twingings and writhings, of shivering agues, 
and roasting fevers; every limb is out of shape and 
rigid; the skin is tense and excessively tender to the 
touch; the joints are stiff, the places of the finger nails 
are supplied by calcareous deposits ; the ft'et are drop- 
sical and frightfully swelled, and every part is so sensi- 
tive to meteorological changes, that his feelings predict 
variations in the weather with scarcely less certainty 
and precision than the mercurial barometer. As the 
atmospherical pressure decreases in the change from 
fair weather to foul, the vessels in the vicinity of the 
principal joints seem ready to burst asunder, and there 
is an indescribable sensation of ' drawing apart;' but 
during the changes from toul to fair, when the air as- 
sumes its accustomed density, every limb suffers the 
torture of compression in a vice. If the affection was 
rheumatic in the outset, it became neuralgic in its pro- 



WILLIAM RYDER. 249 

gress, and probably there is not a single vertebra in the 
spinal column but has, in its turn, felt like a spike ' 
driven into the flesh,' and left to rankle there. At times, 
his brain has been shivered, and his senses scattered, 
and he has given heed to nothing but his sufferings. 
Within the last three years, however, though his pains 
are constant and often severe, they have so far abated 
their primitive violence as to allow him once more to 
converse, read, and enjoy. The disease appears to 
have expended its force, to have done its utmost, and to 
have left its maimed and crippled victim to be borne off 
the stage of life by some one of its fellow-panders to the 
appetite of insatiable death." 

Such were the peculiar, and almost unparalleled suf- 
ferings of this servant of Jesus Christ, and yet grace 
superabounded. But let us not anticipate his history, 

William Ryder was born in Holliston, Middlesex coun- 
ty, Mass., on the 27th day of June, 1805. His father 
was a member of the M. E. church. In his childhood, 
William, with his parents, removed to Fort Ann, Wash- 
ington county, N. Y. A single incident of his childhood 
may not be out of place here. " Like other boys, he 
betrayed an early and excessive fondness for the water, 
and when unobserved would sit for hours on a low rock 
that projected into the stream above his father's mill- 
dam, with his little feet dangling in the water, of which 
the perpendicular depth was at least fifteen feet. To 
cure this dangerous propensity, his father one day sur- 
prised him in one of his aquatic excursions upon the 
banks of Miller's river, threw him into the middle 
of the stream, and, after repeated immersions, held 
him up, dripping and drowning, to see if the remedy 
were taking effect. Judge of his vexation when the 
little fellow, delighted with the process, gurgled out as 
well as he was able. * Do so again, papa!' " 



350 TmOY CONKKKKNCE MISCELLANY. 

Ilis fearless courage manifested itself also, in his early 
days, in his pugilistic demonstrations upon his comrades. 
Neither in the service of Satan, nor of God, was he 
accustomed to tremble in the presence of his enemies. 

When about twelve years old, William was apprenticed 
to a farmer in Kingsbury, N. Y., whom he served until 
he attained his majority. His early life was not such as 
to afford much promise of future usefulness. God, who 
is rich in mercy, brought him to see, and deplore, and 
forsake his sins. On the night of the 3d of April, 1824, 
after midnight, he was " kneeling at his chest, reclined 
upon his elbow, his head resting upon his hand, with 
the old Bible spread out before him, upoi^ the soiled 
pages of which a single untrimmed candle shed its 
flickering rays; weeping, praying and reading alternate- 
ly, his eye fell upon the words, ' Behold the Lamb of 
God which taketh away the sins of the world;' and 
soon after upon another passage which riveted his at- 
tention, • For God so loved the world that he gave his 
only-begotten son, that whosoever believcth on him 
should not perish but have everlasting life.' Despairing 
of succor from any other source, he made a final ellbrt 
to behold the Lamb; to believe on the Only-Begotten; to 
surrender his own efforts and yield to be saved by grace. 
Faith prevailed; he was justified before God; his heart 
was regenerated and * strangely warmed;' the witness- 
ing spirit whispered, 'Son, thy sins be forgiven thee' 
Two weeks afterward, he was received on probation in 
the Methodist Episcopal church.*' 

When his heart became renewed by grace, he began at 
once to awake to a realization of the importance of in- 
tellectual improvement. The study of the Bible was 
immediately commenced in good earnest, and this served 
to awaken his taste for intellectual aliment, and to 
trousc his appetite for useful knowledge. Here he found 



WILLIAM RYDER. 



251 



his difficulties. His means were very limited, and^liis 
time, from sunrise to sunset, was devoted to manual la- 
bor. About two years of his apprenticeship remained 
to be served. '* Where there is a will there is a way," 
and like a worthy host of others, who have found them- 
selves in similar circumstances, our young brother found 
time, and means of improvement, where none appa- 
rently existed. At length that period in his history to 
which the young man looks forward with so much 
anxiety and hope arrived ; his twenty-first birthday made 
him his own master. 

We next find him at Beebe's Academy in Chester, in- 
creasing his stock of knowledge, and developing his in- 
tellectual capacities. 

While seeking to improve his understanding, his heart 
was not neglected. There was a simultaneous "growth 
in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior 
Jesus Christ." 

In February of 1829, Miss Lavina Whitcomb became 
the sharer of his joys and sorrows. Little did her young 
heart then know of the trying scenes through which she 
was to pass as the wife of the suffering superannuate. 
Puring all his subsequent years of labor and afiliction, 
she was his faithful companion and patient attendant, 
until death placed him beyond the need of her kind 
offices. 

Mr. Ryder shrank from the work of the ministry. 
*' At times he determined to dismiss the subject alto- 
gether, actually sealed up those parts of his hymn book 
having immediate reference to this subject, and seriously 
contemplated taking the same liberty with certain pas- 
sages of the volume of inspiration, which, when they 
met his eye, thrilled his soul with the startling sudden- 
ness of the galvanic shock. Yet the gentle impulsions 
of duty, the urgent voice of the church, the love of 
Christ, the love of souls, finally triumphing, induced 



252 TROT CONFERENCE MISCELLANY, 

him to yield to those who insisted upon his immediate 
transfer to an eflfuctive position in the general work. 
He was licensed to preach in May, 1830, and labored 
for one year under the presiding elder, on the Cambridge 
circuit as an assistant to Kev. R. Kelly." 

Mr. Ryder attended a camp meeting that year at 
Pittstown, N. Y., at which meeting he listened to a very 
able discourse, delivered by Rev. J. B. Stratton. During 
its delivery he was induced to draw a mortifying con- 
trast between the speaker and himself, and at its close 
he came to the hasty, and desperate resolution, never to 
attempt to preach again. While in pursuit of his col- • 
league, with the intention of making known to him his 
purpose to return immediately home, he providentially 
met the venerable Samuel Howe, who, " alfectionately 
passing his arm about the neck of the desponding youth, 
exclaimed with fervor, ' Was not that a lovely sermon?' 

* Precious! but inimitable!' siglied the disheartened no- 
vice. ' Courage, my young brother!' resumed the 
apostolic adviser; ' I remember when, twenty years 
ago, that preacher was but a diffident youth, evidently 
studious, pious, and thoughtful; yet no one thought he 
would ever make a preacher. It is related of him that 
on one occasion his colleague unexpectedly entered the 
room where he was discoursing, and that he was so 
disconcerted at his presence that he sat down pale and 
trembling, and no persuasions could induce him to pro- 
ceed; and now,' continued father Howe, ' you see what 
a giant he has become? Courage ! my brother, and you 
may in time become a ^ood, if not a great preacher of 
the gospel.' * I thanked father Howe,' says Mr. Ryder, 

* for his reasonable encouragement, and resolved to 

TRY.' '* 

This scene might have had its inlluence in preparing 
him for the part he acted in what follows: "There is 



WILLIAM RYDER. 253 

one circumstance," says Rev. A. A. Farr, " connected 
with my ministry, that I shall probably remember with 
gratitude, while I live. The second sabbath that I 
spent in the itinerant work, was at an appointment where 
religion was veiy low, and an official member of the 
church had given me to understand that I would not 
answer for them. Consequently, when I went to preach 
my first sermon in that place, I was nearly overwhelmed 
with fear. After entering the pulpit, I did not look 
around on the congregation, till I arose to give out my 
first hymn; and then, to my utter surprise, one of the 
first men that I recognized was the Rev. W. Ryder. 
The moment I saw him, I nearly lost all command of 
myself, and my embarrassment continued during the 
entire service. My feelings had so nearly got the control 
of my judgment, that I made up my mind, at first, 
never to preach again. I als" thought that I would 
not meet brother Ryder, lest he should advise me to go 
home; but as I could not well get out of the church, 
without passing his seat, I concluded I would meet him 
and abide the result. As I approached him, he extended 
his hand to greet me, and, with tears, said: "0, brother 
Farr! I am glad to see you here; you ought to have 
been in the work long ago." My heart melted, and I 
answered: " I fear I have done an injury to the cause 
of religion, in my remarks this morning." And never 
shall I forget his reply: " I have preached a, great many 
poorer sermons than that." In a moment my heart was 
encouraged to go forward in the path of duty, and leave 
the event with God. Had he criticised my sermon, and 
told me all its faults, I presume I should have left my 
work, with the impression that I was mistaken about 
being called to the ministry. Ever since that period, I 
have been endeavoring to preach Christ to the children 
of men; and often has my heart overflowed with grati- 



254 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

tuJo to God, that ho employed brother Ryder as his in- 
strument in tliat trying hour," 

At the session of the New York Conference, held in 
July, 1831, Mr. Ryder was received on trial, and ap- 
pointed to Pittsford and Wallingford, Vt. On this cir- 
cuit, ho derived great advantage from his intercourse 
with his colleague. Rev, Joshua Poor. In numberless 
respects did the gentlemanly deportment, godly life, and 
judicious advice of the latter, prove a blessing to the 
former. Several protracted meetings were held during 
the year, and God was with his servants. The 12th day 
of January, 1832, may be regarded as the *' birth-day 
of those pains and agonies, that have since rendered 
him as distinguished in the world of suffering, as some 
of his hojiored cotemporaries have become in the world 
of action. lie was proceeding to an appointment, on 
horseback, and, at a short distance from Wallingford vil- 
lage, was seized with an acute pain in the right hip 
joint; sharp, shooting, severe and constant, so that he 
could not dismount without aid. Brother Poor kindly 
procured him a sleigh, and he reached the church at 
East Wallingford in due season. The night was dark, 
cold and stormy. After securing his horse to the shed, 
he attempted to walk to the church, a few rods distant, 
but fell in agony upon the snow, crept to the door upon 
his hands and knees, aroused those within, was assisted 
to a place by the fire, and finally stood up in a pew and 
preached to the handful that had gathered for worship. 
From thence he betook himself to his bed, and the usual 
external applications for rheumatism; the disease ap- 
peared to yield to the treatment, its violence gradually 
diminished, and in ten days every sensible trace of it 
had disappeared." 

At the conference of 1832, Mr. Ryder was appointed 
preacher in charge of Leicester circuit, in Vermont, 



WILLIAM RYDER. 255 

with Rev. John Alley as his colleague. This circuit 
then included Leicester, Goshen, Brandon, Salisbury, 
Whiting, Sudbury, Hubbardtown, Shoreham, Orwell, 
and Bridport. The year was one of severe labor and 
painful suffering. Twice, at the no small risk of his 
life, he forded Otter Creek, in order to reach his ap- 
pointment, when it was so swollen as to be regarded by 
others as impassable. The toils and exposure of this 
large charge brought on another attack of rheumatism, 
and from this time he became the victim of incessant 
and almost incredible sufferings. 

It was with great difficulty that our suffering friend 
reached the seat of the Troy Conference, in August, 

1833, in which his lot had fallen by the division of the 
New York Conference. He was there ordained deacon 
by Bishop Hedding, and appointed to Salisbury, in 
Vermont. Six months of successful, though painful 
labors, closed his itinerant career, and he returned to 
his father-in-law's, at Granville. At the conference of 

1834, he obtained a superannuated relation. In Feb- 
ruary of 1835, his health having considerablj^mproved, 
he removed to West Poultney, with a view of keeping 
a boarding house, but, in the following month his suf- 
ferings returned with increased violence. '* There was 
great pain in the right shoulder, the muscles contracted 
and drew the arm around upon the back, so as to give 
it the appearance of dislocation. No sufferer upon the 
rack or wheel ever endured anguish so exquisite or 
agonies so terrible ! In the same month of the follow- 
ing year, 1836, the left arm exhibited the same symp- 
toms and manifested the same tendencies. To prevent 
its utter dislocation, Mrs. Rj^der bound it fast by a 
leathern thong to the foot-post of the bed, forcing it to 
preserve its horizontal position; and thus the muscles, 
drawing one way, and the thong the other, had well nigh 



256 TllOY CONFERENCE MI8CELIJINY. 

ended the victim of their cruel contention. To this 
torturing precaution he was doubtless indebted for the 
use of tliis arm for a considerable time after the other 
liad become totally lielpless.'' 

Bodily pains were not the only sulferings of which 
Mr. Kyder was the victim. While enduring the tor- 
tures above alluded to, he was naturally led often to 
ask, '• Why am I thus alllicted?" Here the enemy 
took advantage of him, and pressed him sorely with the 
temptation that he had never been called to the work 
of the ministry. His mental anguish under the influ- 
ence of this temptation was at times almost insup- 
portable, exceeding even his physical sulferings. The 
assurance he received from four members of the Troy 
Conference, that they traced their conversion and 
call to the ministry to his instrumentality, broke, in 
part, the power of this temptation. Still at times he 
was well nigh overwhelmed by it. The conference of 
1H36 was held at Pawlet, not far from the place where 
Mr. Ryder resided. He attended, and embraced the 
opportunity of making known liis mental conflicts to his 
ministerial brethren, from whose sympathies and coun- 
sels he derived great consolation. In the fall of this 
year he visited Saratoga Springs, but those healing 
fountains, from which so many have derived help, had 
no power to relieve hhn. In the tall of 1H37, a severe 
cold brought on an aggravation of his disease that 
deprived him ever after of the power of locomotion. 
His limbs cramped and stifl'ened, his fingers became 
dislocated, he lost the use of almost every muscle, and 
became the helpless victim of those excruciating agonies 
referred to in the beginning of this sketch. 

For a while he lay upon a hydrostatic bed; subse- 
quently a chair was made, so adapted to the angles of 
his stilfened body, and balanced upon an axle, that he 



WILLIAM RYDEB. 257 

could recline at any angle from a sitting to a horizontal 
posture. This was mounted upon wheels so that he 
could be moved at pleasure. On this chair, or couch, 
he lay in utter helplessness for years. Before him was 
suspended a small frame on which a book was placed. 
Though unable to lift a hand, yet sufficient strength re- 
mained in the thumb and fingers of one hand to enable 
him to turn over the leaves by means of a slender stick, 
from which projected two short pieces of wire. In this 
way he read about f^ree hundred volumes, thus beguiling 
his wearisome hours, and finding intellectual and moral 
aliment. 

" During the last year of his life," writes Rev. G. 
G. Saxe, " he seemed ripening for the grave; he gloried 
only in the cross of Christ, and talked exultingly of his 
approaching rest. The Bible was almost his only book. 
At the request of a friend, he read Macaulay's History 
of England, but said, as he finished it, * This is a his- 
tory of wickedness, bloodshed, and death; the rest of 
my reading must be in the Book of Life.' A few days 
before his death, he said, * I suppose this looks like 
dying to some, but I am just beginning to live — I am 
getting nearer the fountain.' When his pains seemed 
more than humanity could endure, he would whisper. 

' Courage, my soul, on God rely, 
Deliverance soon will come,' ^c. 

On the day of his death, at about two o'clock, p. m., 
thinking that he had slept for some time, and being in- 
formed that he had not, he replied with a smile, * Then 
this is death; I am almost home.' His beloved com- 
panion, who had watched over him like a ministering 
angel, and who had not known the luxury of a regular 
night's sleep, for fifteen years, in her patient watchful- 
ness, now stood weeping by his side; observing which, 
he said, • Don't weep, my dear, but rejoice, for I shall 
21 



458 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY, 

•con see Jesus without a veil.* His sufferings were 
intense, and yet he asked with a smile, ' Do you call 
this dying?' He frequently whispered, * Glory to God!* 
* Jesus is precious!' Among the last words that trem- 
bled upon his dying lips was, ' Jesus.' On the 20th of 
July, 1849, the conflict ended — the weary body slept 
sweetly in death, and the triumphant spirit returned to 
God, who gave it." 



REV. DANIEL F. PAGE. 

" In ihe modesty of fearful duty, 

I read as much, as from the rattling: tongue 

Of saucy and audacious eloquence." 

Justus Page was a native of Haverhill, Mass., from 
which place he removed to the town of Rupert, in Ver- 
mont, where his youngest child and only son, Daniel F. 
Page, was born in 1810. The most remarkable traits 
of character developed in Daniel's childhood, were ami- 
ability and benevolence ; these were strongly marked. 

At the age of eighteen, he was brought to repentance 
and the enjoyment of experimental religion, through 
the instrumentality of that distinguished revivalist, Rev. 
James Caughey. He united with the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, in the town of Dorset, Vt. His connec- 
tion with the Troy Conference commenced in 1835. In 
due time, he graduated to orders in the Christian minis- 
try, agreeably to the discipline and usages of the church 
of his clioicc; being ordained to the office of deacon by 
Bishop Hcdding, in 1837, and to that of elder, by the 
same venerable prelate, in 1h39. 

As many of our readers may never have seen a copy 



DANIEL F. PAGE. 



259 



of the ordination credentials of our ministry, the follow- 
ing is inserted: 

" Know ALL MEN BY THESE PRKSENTS, that I, Elijah 
Hedding, one of the Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, in the United States of America, under the pro- 
tection of Almighty God, and with a single eye to his 
glory, by the imposition of my hands and prayer, have 
this day set apart Daniel F. Page for the office of a 
Deacon, in the Methodist Episcopal Church; a man, 
who, in the judgment of the Troy Annual Conference, 
is well qualified for that work ; and he is hereby recom- 
mended to all whom it may concern, as a proper person 
to administer the ordinance of Baptism, Marriage, and 
the Burial of the Dead, in the absence of an elder, and 
to feed the flock of Christ, so long as his spirit and 
practice are such as become the gospel of Christ, and he 
continueth to hold fast the form of sound words, accord- 
ing to the established doctrines of the gospel. 

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand 
and seal, this fourth day of June, in the year of 
[l. s] our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty 
seven. Elijah Hedding. 

Done at Troy, N. Y." 

These credentials are printed on parchment; the 
names, dates and signatures, being filled out with a pen. 
The elders' '* parchments " are similar, differing only 
as the functions of the office differ, from those of a dea- 
con. 

Mr. Page's appointments were as follows: 1835, Wil- 

liamstown. Mass,; 1836, Hoosic and Bennington, Vt. ; 
1837-8, Stowe, Vt.; 1839, Albany, N. Y.; 1840, White- 
hall, N. Y.; 1841, Brandon, Vt.; 1842-3, Whiting, Vt. ; 
1844, Fonda, N. Y. ; 1845, Rensselaerville, N. Y. ; 1846, 
Colchester and Winooski, Vt.; 1847, Whitehall, where 
his labors and life terminated, on the sixth day of No- 
vember, 1847. 



260 TROT CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

*' The few weeks previous to his death,'' says Rev. J. 
E. Bowen, ** ho was unusually engaged in religion, and 
exhibited a continual ripening for heaven. His last re- 
ligious exercises were marked by uncommon depth of 
religious fervor, and holy communion with God. "When 
conversed with on the subject of death, he expressed 
himself as being ready, whenever the Lord should call. 
During his sickness, his constant theme, when in his 
lucid moments, was religion; and about two days before 
his death, he sang, 

'Jesus, all the day long, 

Is my joy, and my song,' " SfC.^ 

and thus passed to his home in the skies. 

Unfortunately, like many others, whose labors and 
success in the ministry are worthy of record, Mr. Page 
left behind him no papers relative to his personal his- 
tory; and the writer has been able to obtain but few 
historical details of his life. In the spring of 1842, he 
was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Hitchcock, of Pitts- 
ford, Vt., a lady of uncommmon intelligence, piety and 
worth. With the fading of the leaves of the ensuing 
autumn, he was called to see her fade away; and in a 
little over six short months from their nuptial day, he 
followed her remains to the silent tomb. " He was 
overwhelmed with grief; indeed, so great was his afflic- 
tion, that at times he was almost bereft of reason; yet 
he was patient and submissive, bearing all tcilhout a 
murmur escaping his lips.'" He never again married. 

Daniel F. Page was a good man; a sincere, conscien- 
tious and deeply devoted Christian. This impression 
was uniformly received on forming the slightest ac- 
quaintance with him, and as invariably confirmed by a 

thorough intimacy. " Do you think Mr. is a very 

pious man?" said a, person once to Whitefield. "How 
can I tell?" was the reply: "i» never lived with him." 



DANIEL F. PAGB. 261 

While the writer never heard an individual speak dis- 
paragingly of Mr. Page, he never heard any one speak 
of him in so high terms as those that *' lived with him." 

A prominent trait in his character was his great mo- 
desty^ The writer was first introduced to him in 1839, 
when Mr. Page was stationed at the South church in 
the city of Albany, he being at that time twenty-nine 
years of age, and in the fifth of his ministry. He then 
appeared to be, without exception, the most modest, 
unassuming man, for one of his age and calling, that the 
writer had ever become acquainted with. This exces- 
sive modesty, amounting to troublesome diffidence, must 
have been exceedingly embarrassing to him in his early 
public efforts. Could we trace his early mental con- 
flicts arising from this source, we might find instruction 
and encouragement for the young Christian. When 
stationed in Albany, he modestly declined officiating in 
his turn as chaplain to the legislature. 

His temper was peculiarly mild and lovely. Nature 
and grace seem to have combined to produce this result. 
He was ihe very personification of amiability. 

To his work as a Christian minister, he was consci- 
entiously devoted. A sense of accountability to God for 
the faithful discharge of the duties of his holy vocation, 
evidently exerted its controlling influence over him. 

As a pastor he excelled; indeed it was his forte. If in 
the pulpit he was not distinguished, he made amends 
for it in his pastoral visiting. Just at the point where 
so many fail, he succeeded. His pastoral visits were 
not only extensive — reaching all classes of his people — 
they were also spiritual. He had an object in view in 
his visits, and by the blessing of God, that object was 
in many instances accomplished. Souls were saved, 
sinners converted, and saints edified. 

Rev. H. H. Smith, who was his colleague, in 1842, 



2G2 TROY CONFKRENCE MISCELLANY. 

bears this testimony to his worth: ** Brother Page was 
a pattern of humility and resignation, not only in af- 
fliction, but in his daily life. Modest and retiring in his 
deportment, faithful as a Christian minister, acceptable 
M'herever he went, he was indeed a burning and shining 
light.' In several of his appointments, the special 
outpouring of the Spirit attended his ministrations. 
To the last he was active and diligent in his work. 
When, in view of declining health, his friends advised 
him to spare himself, he was accustomed to say, " It is 
better to wear out, than to rust out." 

In the prime of life, and in the midst of his unobtru- 
sive fidelity, he was cut off; and though this meagre 
sketch gives but an exceedingly imperfect idea of his 
character and usefulness, his labors will not bo forgotten 
when God sliall *' reward every man according to his 
works." Many in that day, will rise up and call him 
blessed, gratefully liailing him as having been the in- 
sLrument of their salvation. 



IIEV. JOnX p. FOSTER. 

John P. Foster was born in the town of Sandlake, 
Rensselaer county, N. Y., August 24, I8U7. He was the 
youngest, but one, of six children, only two of whom are 
now living. Death robbed him of his best earthly friend, 
when he was but four years of age. When a child, he 
possessed a yery cheerful and happy spirit, laughing at 
the misfortunes of cliildhood, and being utterly imper- 
vious to sorrow. While at school, he learned with re- 
markable case, leaving time to gratify his love of fun 
by keeping the scholars in a state of merriment. This 



JOHN P. FOSTER. 263 

he did, not to annoy the teacher, but from an inherent 
and ahnost uncontrollable gayety of spirit. This char- 
acteristic was prominent through life. He received the 
rudiments of a good English education from his father, 
who was a teacher by profession. 

Almost from his earliest recollection, he was the 
subject of deep religious convictions. He continued 
however to resist the influence of the Holy Spirit until 
nearly his eighteenth year, when he repented of his sins, 
and sought the favor of God with all his heart. His 
conversion was clear; he knew his sins forgiven, and 
himself a child of God. Who the instrument of his 
awakening and conversion was, is not known. 

Almost immediately after this great change, he felt it 
to be his duty to call sinners to repentance. Sub- 
sequently, the church believing him truly called to the 
work of the ministry, he was licensed as a local preach- 
er. He at once began to exercise his gifts in several 
places in the neighborhood of his residence. He now 
bent all his energies to a preparation for his future 
calling. Being advised to enter the regular work, he 
joined the New York Conference on trial in 1829, when 
he was twenty-two years of age. While in that con- 
ference he labored upon the Sullivan, Middletown and 
Kingston circuits. When the conference was divided 
in 1832, his lot fell within the bounds of the Troy Con- 
ference, in which he was appointed successively to the 
following places, Fairfield, Beekmantown, Watervliet, 
Rotterdam mission. Gal way, Northampton, Saratoga 
Springs, Greenfield and Ballston, Monkton, Starksboro, 
Chester and Wariensburgh, and South Adams. 

During his second year at South Adams, a new house 
of worship was erected, within the bounds of his charge. 
This increased the labors and anxieties of the pastor, 
and, by the time it was completed, his strength began to 



264 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

fail. On the day of dedication, it rained incessantly, 
and in returning home in the evening he became tho- 
roughly drenched. In the morning, he complained of a 
sore throat, and general weakness, but receiving word 
that a sister was at the point of death in Troy, ho 
started to see and cheer licr in her last moments. She 
died however before he reached the city. The journey 
and the affliction greatly prostrated him, but after a few 
days of rest he appeared much better, and returned to his 
work. He preached only a few sermons after his re- 
turn, but did not surrender his charge until the end of 
the conference year, when it became evident that the 
pulmonary consumption had numbered him among its 
victims. 

Many will remember his appearance at the conference 
of 1849. Not able to speak above a whisper, hardly 
able to walk, and wasted almost to a skeleton, his en- 
trance caused a shudder, and many eyes were filled 
with tears. He was returned superannuated. From 
the conference he went to the house of Mr. Luther, his 
father-in-law, near Ballston Springs. 

He now felt that his ministerial work was done; and 
all that remained was to see that his own soul was 
prepared for the coming change. He now desired to 
have the clearest evidence of his entire sanctification. 
The Lord answered his prayers, and all was light and 
peace within. He lingered on, in a blissful state of 
mind, till the morning of the 6th of January, 1H50, when 
he fell asleep in Jesus, in the forty-third year of his age, 
and the twenty-first of his itinerant ministry. 

His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Henry L. 
Starks, and his body was committed to the tomb, there 
to rest, until the morning of the resurrection. 

Of his piety, there could be no doubt in the minds 
of those who knew him best. At times, it might 
have been thought by one una'^quainted with him, that 



JOHN P. FOSTER. 265 

his gayety of spirit was an evidence of a superficial work 
of grace upon his heart; but farther acquaintance 
showed this to be constitutional, harmless in itself, 
and no special detriment to his spirituality. That he 
never deviated from Christian and ministerial propriety 
in this respect, is not asserted. As of old, " when the 
Lord turned again the captivity of Zion," the mouths 
of his people were ** filled with laughter." So of Mr. 
Foster, when blessed of God personally, or the good 
work prospered in his hands, this characteristic trait 
manifested itself. He possessed a cheerful piety, which 
always prompted an encouraging word for the tempted 
and the suffering. His benevolence and goodness of heart 
knew no bounds. He was always poor, because he gave 
away all he could spare from present necessities. 

As a husband and father, he was uniformly kind and 
affectionate. He was married to his first wife, Miss 
Maria Ireland, daughter of Sealy Ireland, Esq., of 
Watervliet, on the 29th of February, 1838: by this 
marriage he had four children, all of whom died in in- 
fancy. The death of the last was speedily followed by 
that of its mother. The loss of his wife, to whom he 
was devotedly attached, was a fearful stroke; but the 
grace of God enabled him to bear it, without repining. 
He continued a widower five years, when he was united 
in marriage to Miss B. A. Luther, who still lives to 
mourn his loss. 

As a minister of the gospel, he was indefatigable. No 
labor was too severe, if the salvation of souls could be 
accomplished. He has been known to go into a neigh- 
borhood under the most discouraging circumstances, and 
start a protracted meeting, saying, " God will surely 
hear our prayers, and answer them in the salvation of 
this people." He would continue for weeks, in connec- 
tion with his colleague, preaching every evening, and 



2G6 TROY CONFERKNCE MISCELLANY. 

visiting every day, until the children of God began to 
trust the power of the gospeV, and sinners to yield to 
such constant and faithful cllbrts for their salvation. 
At such times, he was scarcely ever known to fail of 
success. 

An eminent member of this conference, who knew 
him well, and had labored with him, says: '•He was a 
man of great faith and spiritual penetration; he knew 
the signs of the times, and was prepared to profit by 
this knowledge. His experience was deep, and often 
overwhelmingly glorious." His faith in the power of 
God's holy Word, was such as to lead him to press ap- 
peal after appeal upon the conscience of the ungodly, 
in a manner that would have made a weaker faith trem- 
ble for the honor of the truth. He did not trust in 
human means, but believed, that if faithfully used, they 
would be blessed of God. He was instrumental in the 
salvation of many souls. 

In 1842, being on a visit to his friends in Troy, he 
learned that a work of God was in progress at Peters- 
burg. Enjoying the salvation of souls, more than the 
society of friends, he went to participate in it. Rev. 
Ensign Stover says, in reference to lliis visit, *' Brother 
Foster was very successful in promoting the salvation 
of sinners. At one time, when we were making pastoral 
visits, we called upon a family wlierc a mother and 
several daughters were under awakenings. Brother 
Foster asked them to kneel down and pray, assuring 
them that God would forgive their sins. The young 
ladies did so; but the mother, though bathed in tears, 
objected, on account of a small child, which she held in 
her arms. 'Give that child to me,' said he; he took it 
in his arms, the mother kneeling, while he alternately 
soothed the child, and pointed the mourners to Christ; 
thus he continued, until all were happy in the forgiveness 
of their sins.** 



JOHN P. FOSTER. 267 

His appearance in the pulpit was not in his favor. IIo 
was rather under the medium height, with a slight ten- 
dency to corpulency. His head was large and well de- 
veloped. In consequence of a weakness of his eyes, he 
had contracted a habit of opening and shutting them 
with a nervous jerk, which was very detrimental to his 
appearance. 

His style was forcible and chaste, but his gestures 
were rather quick, and not very graceful; yet, such was 
the clearness of his arrangement, and the vigor of his 
thoughts, that every thing else was forgotten, and the 
hearer's attention was secured. 

Of his preaching ability, the Rev. Charles Pomeroy, 
who is well qualified to judge, says: *' Brother Foster 
was a man of thought and profound reflection. I con- 
sidered him an able minister, very methodical, argu- 
mentative and powerful." He was a Methodist in the 
fullest sense of that term ; and if the doctrines or usages 
of the church were assailed, they found in him a willing 
and powerful defender. Though well acquainted with 
our standard authors, and the doctrinal works of other 
denominations, he was not a close student. " He read 
too little," continues Mr. Pomeroy, '* but was naturally 
a strong minded man. He was too good company, and 
enjoyed the society of his brethren too well, to be a 
great student. But he could study, and did think, and 
was, in fact, a very good preacher." His friends can 
but regret, that, with his natural abilities, he did not 
cultivate his vigorous intellect more fully. Had he done 
so, he might have stood in the front rank, in our con- 
ference. 

" He was my colleague," says Rev. H. W. Ransom, 
"on the Chester and Warrensburgh circuit, in 1846-7. 
We were favored with a very extensive revival of re- 
ligion, in which nearly all the adult population of Chester 



268 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY, 

village, not previously pious, were professedly convert- 
ed to God. During this revival, a traveler, who called 
at the village tavern for entertainment, found a prayer 
meeting in progress, in the bar-room. The landlord and 
most of his houshold were subjects of the revival. Mr. 
Foster possessed the greatest faculty of bringing all the 
talent of the church into requisition, in the work of 
God, of any man that I ever knew. His plan was to 
cheer the people on to spiritual effort and engagedness. 
His sermons were full of encouragement. He sometimes 
preached very able doctrinal sermons. In times of re- 
vival, his discourses ordinarily consisted of a short ex- 
position of the text, followed by Si warm exhortation. 
He used to clap his hands, and as his small eye flashed, 
he would cry out, 'God help,' with an emphasis that 
bespoke the fervor of his soul. 

•'Ordinarily, he was lively, but subject to great de- 
pression of spirit. He was deeply pious, a loving col- 
league, and an humble, useful man." 



KEV. JOIIX LINDSEY. 

BY REV. JOHN FRAZER, D. D.* 



Rev. John Lindsey was born in Lynn, Mass., July 18, 
1788. The precise date of his conversion can not now 
be ascertained. One of the members of the family 
thinks it was when he was about nineteen years of age. 
He soon felt called to the ministry, and began to preach 
in the neighborhood where he lived. In the fall of 

• This article uppearctl in the Christian Advocate, sooo after the 
ilealh of Mr. LinJ»ey. 



f 



JOHN LINDSEY. 269 

1808 he was employed as a local preacher under the di- 
rection of a presiding elder. At the session of the New- 
England Conference in 1809, he was admitted on trial 
into the traveling connection, and appointed to the New 
London circuit. In 1810 he was sent to Somerset and 
Warren. His appointment, in 1811, was New Market, 
Durham and Portsmouth. N. H. He was stationed at 
Portland in 1812; at Falmouth in 1813; at Nantucket in 
1814 and 1815; and at Bristol in Rhode Island in 1816 
and 1817. In 1818 he was appointed to the Vermont 
district, where he continued four years. He was sent 
to Boston in 1823; and in 1824 he was appointed mis- 
sionary to South Hadley and Sunderland. In 1825 he 
was stationed at Needham. He was appointed to the 
Lynn district in 1826, and in 1827 the Lynn district 
was merged in the Boston district. Brother Lindsey 
was placed in charge of the Boston district, where he 
continued until 1830, when he was sent to Nantucket 
the second time. He was reappointed to Nantucket in 
1831. In 1832 and 1833 he was at Boston North and at 
Boston South in 1834. 

The interest brother Lindsey took in the cause of 
education, and the energy of his character, pointed him 
out as a suitable person for the agency of the Wesleyan 
University. He was accordingly appointed to this 
agency in 1835, and continued in 1836. In 1837 he was 
transferred to the New York Conference, and stationed 
on the New Haven district. He was at Forsyth street 
church in the city of New York in 1838 and 1839^ and 
at Second street church in 1840 and 1841. In 1842 he 
was agent for the American Bible Society, and in 1843 
and 1844 he was stationed at the First Church in Pough- 
keepsie. He was transferred to the Troy Conference 
in 1845, and appointed to the Garrettson station in tho 

city of Albany. In 1846 he was placed in charge of the 
22 



270 TROY CONrERENCE MISCELLANY. 

Albany district, where he closed liis life and labors near 
the end of his fourth year. He died at his residence 
in Schenectady, on Wednesday, Februar}' 20, 1850, at 
2 o'clock in the afternoon. The writer was immediately 
informed by telegraph of the decease of brother Liiid- 
sey; he hastened up, and found sister Lindsey and her 
daughter Henrietta (the only member of the family at 
home) almost overwhelmed by the suddenness and 
severity of the blow. Intelligence was communicated 
to the other members of the family, and Saturday fixed 
for the funeral service. The remains were taken to the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and after religious ser- 
Tices, including an appropriate address by Dr. Luckey, 
of the East Genesee Conference, they were deposited in 
a vault preparatory to their removal to Lynn fo^ final 
interment. 

It n)a\ be asked, and is this all that can be said to 
rescue from oblivion the memory of such a man as John 
Lindsey, who for more than forty years stood in the van 
of the sacramental host, the uncompromising, self-sacri- 
ficing, and devoted soldier of the cross? This is nearly 
all that can be said here, for the subject of this article 
has not, to the knowledge of the writer, left a single 
line in reference to his personal history. It is to be 
regretted that so many of that noble band — the pioneers 
of Methodism in this country — should have left us such 
scanty memorials of their labors, their conflicts, their 
sufferings, and their triumph. How interesting, how 
instructive, how encouraging to the young itinerant 
would many of the stirring scenes in the lives of the 
fathers prove, could they be simply told, without exag- 
geration or embellishment. In this respect ** the child- 
ren of this world are. in their generation, wiser than 
the children of light." What pains are taken to pre- 
serve the slightest circumstance that sorvcs to illustrate 



JOHN LINDSEY. 



271 



the character of the warrior of the bloody battle-field, 
or to encourage those who would emulate his deeds, 
while the moral hero of a thousand conllicts and a 
thousand triumphs leaves scarcely a single written 
memento of having lived, and labored, and suffered in 
the service of God and the Church, except the meagre 
records of the annual minutes; the dry details of the 
dates and names of his several appointments. But these 
details, dry as they are, confessedly, are suggestive. In 
the case of brother Lindsey, they spread out before us 
the field of his labors, reaching from Portland to Cana- 
joharie, and from Canada to the Sound and Atlantic, in- 
cluding all the New England states and a considerable 
part of New York. During the first nine years of his 
ministry he had been stationed in every one of the six 
New England states, and in those days the post of a 
Methodist preacher was any thing but a sinecure. In 
addition to frequent removals from one part of the 
country to another, long rides, great exposure to the 
extremes of temperature, coarse fare, and small pecu- 
niary rewards, were decreed to these self-denying men. 
Still urged forward by an impulse from above, with such 
men for his compeers as Broadhead, Pickering, Merritt, 
Merrill, Mudge, and Hedding, the subject of this me- 
moir " counted not his life dear unto himself, so that he 
might finish his course with joy, and the ministry he 
had received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of 
the grace of God." 

' The character and standing of brother Lindsey as a 
preacher may be inferred from the class of appointments 
he filled in the New England, the New York, and Troy 
Conferences. Those who knew him in his best days re- 
present him as having been an able, impressive, energetic, 
and successful preacher. He united, in a great degree, the 
dignity of the ambassador of Christ with the urbanity 



272 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

of the gentleman and the simplicity and ingenuousness 
of the child. He was a man of noble purposes, gener- 
ous impulses, and great practical benevolence. lie was 
the promoter and j)atron ot' learning in the church of 
his choice. He was among the most active of the 
founders of the Wilbraham Academy, and cooperated 
zealously with his brethren in the establishment of the 
Wesleyan University, and was among the very first who 
advocated the cause of foreign missions in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

'■ Having at this point, in preparing the memoir, re- 
ceived a communication from Bishop Hedding on the 
subject, the writer begs leave to substitute this commu- 
nication as more appropriate than anything he could 
furnish. The bisliop authorized him to change the 
phraseology and adapt it to his purpose. It seemed 
best, however, to give it unchanged, although there is 
a little repetition. 

*' The Rev. John Lindsey was admitted on probation 
in the traveling connexion of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, by the New England Annual Conference, in the 
year 1809. Ilis first appointment was on New London 
circuit, Connecticut, of which I had the care as pre- 
siding elder that year. Of course I had a good oppor- 
tunity of an intimate acquaintance with him the first 
year of his public labors. Some years after, lie and I 
were colleagues in Boston, for one year; and, still later, 
we lived neighbors for four years in another place, he pre- 
siding elder, and myself holding the olHce I do now, and 
the whole time, from the commencement of his public 
life to the day of his death, I had frequent opportunities 
of seeing and conversing with him — of hearing him 
preach and seeing his manner of life. I was also well 
acquainted in Lynn, Mass., where he was born and 
brought up, and have frequently heard the old numbers 



JOHN LINDSEY. 273 

of the church there speak of his religious experience, 
and the uniform testimony they gave was, that though 
before his conversion he was a merry youth, yet his 
religious experience was deep and genuine. His spirit and 
manner of life were devout and religiously upright, from 
the day of his conversion until the time he en,tered the 
traveling connexion, and so far as I knew him, I believe 
he maintained a truly religious life until the day of his 
death, and I doubt not he has gone to rest with the blessed 
in heaven. He was a man of industrious habits, and 
manifested that industry in all the departments of his 
duty, both in his domestic and public relations. He 
brought up a large family, and though in many of his 
appointments he labored under the disadvantage of a 
scanty pecuniary allowance, yet he so managed, under 
a 'good Providence, as to give his children an excellent 
education. He was punctual in the performance of all 
his duties as a Christian minister. 

He was a man of more than ordinary talents, and by 
industry and perseverance be acquired a large amount 
of useful knowledge. He was really a sound, learned 
divine. He possessed great resolution in the pursuit of 
his labors and the prosecution of his duties. Many of 
his appointments required great mental effort and bodily 
labors, but he braved the summer's heat and the winter's 
cold and snows, and, like a good soldier of Jesus Christ, 
accomplished his work. For instance, when he was 
presiding elder on Vermont district for four years, his 
labors extended all over that part of Vermont east of 
the Green mountain and on the mountain, and some 
distance mto Canada. His district covered more ter- 
ritory than is now covered by the Vermont Confer- 
ence, and yet he performed his duties around it once in 
three months. 



274 TROT CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

•• Mr. Lindscy. was well received by the people on 
circuits and in stations, and as a presiding elder. As 
an evidence of this, when he was on Vermont district, 
ho preached before the p^ovcrnor and legislature, what is 
called in that country tlic election sermon, which was af- 
terwards published by the authority and at the expense of 
the state. His labors were frequently followed with bless- 
ings on the souls of the people, both in edifying and 
itrengthcning the children of God and in awakening 
and converting sinners, lie was a man by nature of a 
kind heart, and by grace that affection was sanctified 
and strengthened. He was an abiding friend to his 
friends, and he had a heart to forgive an enemy. He 
possessed in a large degree a benevolent spirit, which 
was often manifested in his pity to the poor, and his 
efforts to aid and sustain the public benevolent institu- 
tions. Of his small means he gave proportionally an 
abundance. I have known him to give a hundred dol- 
lars at a time to a public benevolent institution, when, it 
his horse had died, he had not another hundred to pur- 
chase one with. If John Lindsey had possessed abund 
ance of money, he had a heart to appropriate a large 
share of it for the benefit of others." 

Having furnished so many interesting particulars from 
the letter of Bishop Hedding, one of the earliest and 
most intimate friends of brother Lindsey, it remains 
only to notice the close of his career. During the last 
bulf of his third year on Albany district, he suffered 
from general derangement of the bowels, but, with his 
characteristic energy, he kept at his work until within 
two or three months of the Conference, when he was 
violently attacked by a complaint of the kidneys. It 
was considered quite doubtful by his physician whether 
he would ever recover, but after extreme suflV- ring for 



JOHN LINDSEY. 



275 



several weeks, he rallied again, went to conference, 
and from conference he went to his work with his 
accustomed cheerfulness and zeal. He had scarcely 
made his first tour round his district, when his old 
malady returned with increased violence, so that after 
the close of September, 1849, he was never able to re- 
sume his official duties, though he fondly hoped to do 
so until within a few days of his decease. 

Prof. J. W. Lindsey, of the Western University, 
writes, as follows, in reference to the religious feelings 
and prospects of his father, during his last illness: 
''During the vrinter, while I was at home, my father 
spoke of the possibility of his not recovering, and said 
it made no difference to him, 'for to me to live is 
Christ, and to die is gain,' I did not think he was so 
near his end, and his getting his strength enough to ride 
down to Albany, quite encouraged me. He at that time 
felt so strong, that he told me if he had a good day on 
Sunday he would try to preach, and he had arranged 
his plan for a sermon on a text from which he had 
never preached, viz : the remark of Christ to the weep- 
ing women, who followed him, ' Weep not for me, but 
weep for yourselves.' I have thought since his selection 
of that text, and his preparing a plan upon it, was almost 
prophetic." Another member of the family writes thus : 
" During my father's illness he was remarkably j^alm 
and composed — he received great support under his 
sufferings, and would often speak of the manifestations 
of the divine presence to his soul. The interests of the 
district lay very near his heart, and his desire to do his 
Master's work was a strong plea for him to leave home, 
even in great pain and feebleness. A watchman on the 
walls of Zion, the service of the church was still plea- 
sant to him, and, Oh, how dearly my father loved her 
interests few can know. The last night of my father's 



176 TROY CONFERKNCE MISCEIJ.ANY. 

life, ho remarked to a lady near him, * There it aome- 
thing above pain.* In his last mortal agony, he said, 
with holy assnrance, * The Lord tcill help me.* Help 
oame from above. Towards morning his sufferings 
grew less. We were not aware that he was so near his 
end, nor do we think tliat he was at all conscious that his 
earthly race was so nearly run, and that the glories of 
the spirit world were so soon to burst upon his soul. A 
short time before he breathed his last, I think he ceased 
to suffer. He who ' giveth his beloved sleep ' was with 
him. The light of God's countenance shone on him — a 
blissful smile lighted up his face — he was at rest. Said 

one that knew and loved him, * H , your father is 

now an angel, very near the throne.' " 

" Servant of Christ well done, 

Rest from thy loved employ, 
The battle's fought, the victory's won, 

Enter your Master's joy." 



REV. CITESTEH LYON. 

" Ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake." 

Chester Lyon was a native of Waterburj*, Vt. With 
his early history and character, the writer is unacquaint- 
ed. Wiien about eighteen years of age, he was made a 
partaker of justifying grace at a camp-meeting. For a 
number of years previous to his entering upon the work 
of the ministry, ho was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Cliurch in his native town. He was then, 
as ever after, a zealous, devoted, warm-hearted Christ- 
ian. 

In 1836 he was licensed to preach; in 1839 he was 



CHESTER LYON. 277 

admitted on trial into the Troy Conference, and in due 
time he graduated to elder's orders. The places in 
which his ministerial labors were performed were as 
follows: Wallingford, Vt., in 1839; Peru, N. Y., in 
1840; Elizabethtown. in 1841; Grand Isle, in 1842; 
North Hero, in 1843; Redford, in 1844; Wilmington, in 
1845; Fairfax, Vt., in 1846; Schroon, N. Y., in 1847-8. 

While at Schroon he became acquainted with the 
morally destitute condition of some back settlements 
upon the head waters of the Hudson river, including the 
Adirondack Iron Works, and spreading over an almost 
unbroken wilderness. In behalf of these scattered sheep, 
Mr, Lyons' sympathies became enlisted, and at his in- 
stigation a mission was formed in that region. With 
true magnanimity he volunteered his services for this 
field, which from the nature of the case he well knew 
must involve serious privations and inconveniences. At 
the conference of 1849, he received his appointment to 
what was called the Adirondack mission, and entered 
upon his work with his usual cheerfulness and zeal. 
He was reappointed to that place in 1850, and was full 
of hope that this wilderness would blossom as the rose. 
The tokens of the divine favor were beginning to be 
manifest, when sickness and death deprived that people 
of the ministrations of one of the most faithful laborers 
in the Lord's vineyard. 

Mr. Lyon was afflicted with erysipelas and some 
other difficulties, indicating a generally disordered state 
of the system, and lingered along for some time in a 
feeble condition, which was not considered immediately 
dangerous. While in this state, having no special rea- 
son to anticipate the near approach of death, he one 
day entered into a free conversation with his wife upon 
his affairs; remarking that they were "remote from 
any medical aid; he had lingered along for a good while 



278 



TROV CONFERENCE illSCEl 



and could not tell what might happen/' Under these 
impressions he gave directions as to the disposition of 
his temporal airairs, in case he should be taken away, 
lie possessed some means, and in the prospect of death, 
he remembered the cause of missions. He also made 
known his wishes in regard to his funeral. A short 
time after the above conversation, he was taken down 
with what was believed to be the small-pox, and died 
at his residence at North Hudson, Essex county, N. Y., 
October 19, l?s5U. 

The circumstances attendant upon his latter end, 
were in some respects of a melancholy character. Re- 
mote from his brethren in the ministry, he was cut oflf 
from their presence and syuipathy; and the apprehen- 
sions imliilged by his neighbors of tlie danger of contact 
with tliat dreailful disease, doomed Mr. Lyon to suffer 
and die unattended, except by his own family, and per- 
haps two or three friends. But he died where every 
man of God would wish to die — at his post. 

Mr. Lyon made no pretensions to being a learned or 
great man; he had been a plain common-sense farmer; 
and entered upon the work of callijig sinners to repent- 
ance rather late in lite. He was a very pious, lovely- 
spirited man. His heart was formed for sympathy and 
friendship. Meekness was a distinctive trait in his 
character. Under great provocation he has been ob- 
served to breathe nothing but kindness; returning good 
for evil. His genuine humility was apparent to all 
who knew him, without any effort on his part to make 
it manifest. He was habitually cheerful and happy. 
These qualities rendered him exceedingly agreeable in 
his social intercourse. It might well be said, in the 
technical language of our annual Conference, '* Tiiero 
ii nothing against brother Lyon." Few men, of the 
same talents, accomplish as much for the cause of God 



HENRY EAMESu 279 

as did Chester Lyon. He was an excellent singer, and 
sung much, not as an amusement, merely, but with 
melody in his heart unto the Lord. He loved to sing, and 
pray, and shout, which he often did with unaffected 
simplicity, and a joyful soul. 

He died as he lived, shouting the praises of God, and 
exhorting those around him to prepare for the world 
to come, and doubtless w^s conveyed by angels from 
his lonely cottage in the wilderness, to those celestial 
mansions prepared for the redeemed on high. 

Some such men as Mr. Lyon will shine with a far 
greater lustre in the firmament of the upper heavens, 
than many who have outshone them on earth. 



EEY. HENEY EAMES. 

" Your fathers, where are they? 

And the prophets, do they live forever?" 

Mr. Henry Eames, the father of the subject of this 
sketch, was born in the western part of Ireland. He 
was converted to God when about twenty years of age, 
through the instrumentality of the Rev. John Wesley, 
and was received by him into the Methodist society. 
He emigrated to this country in 1769, only three years 
subsequent to the formation of the first Methodist so- 
ciety in America, of which he became a member in the 
city of New York, whik Mr. Phillip Embury was still 
there. Two letters received by Mr. Eames from his 
spiritual father, the last of which was written less than 
two years previous to Mr. Wesley's death, may be 
found in Wesley's Works, vol. vii, p. 99. 

Mr. Eames subsequently removed to the town of 



280 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

Bedford, Westchester county, \. Y., where he died in 
holy triumph, in 1821. 

Rev. Henry Eames was born at Bedford, N. Y., June 
23, 1774. He was awakened and led to seek the mercy 
of God, when about tliirtcen years of age, by means of 
an ahirmiiig dream, in which the world of woe was rep- 
resented in awful colors to his mind, His distress 
under the discoveries of God's wrath, was great; 
but when he was enabled to believe in Christ, the wit- 
ness of his acceptance was clear, and his joy was full. 
He at once united with the church, and became, it is 
believed, at an early period of his Christian career, a 
witness of perfect love. 

In 1H()0, being then twenty-six years of age, he was 
received on trial in tlie New York Conference, in the 
same class with Samuel Merwin, William Anson, Jacob 
Gruber, Henry Ryan, and others — men who bore man- 
fully the burden, in the heat of the day that tried men's 
souls; and who, with the subject of our sketch, now 
rest together in Abraham's bosom. 

The following account of his labors and departure to 
the spirit land, is from the pen of his son, Rev. Joseph 
Eames, of the Troy Conference. 

" My father's first circuit was Chesterfield, Conn. 
In Iti'Jl, he was appointed to Tolland; 1BU2 admitted to 
full connection, ordained deacon, and sent to Athens; 
each of those charges was in the New London district; 
1803, Brandon, Vt. In May, 1804, he married Miss 
Lydia Harris, of Lisbon, Conn., one who was every way 
fitted to be a help-meet for him in the great work. The 
same spring he was ordained elder, and appointed to 
Long Island, where he remained two years: that was 
then a six weeks' circuit, including the whole Island, 
with the exception of Brooklyn. I have often heard 
him say, that those two years were seasons of great 



HENRY EAMES. 281 

prosperity, and during that time more than four hun- 
dred were added to the church. In 1806 he was removed 
about four hundred miles, to Dunham and Fletcher cir- 
cuit, which extended into Lower Canada. He continued 
there six months, when a change was effected between 
him and the Rev. N. Gage, and he spent the remainder 
of the year on Cambridge circuit. He was appointed 
in 1807, to Lebanon, N. Y.; 1808, Litchfield, Conn.; 
1809, Courtlandt, N. Y.; 1810 and 1811, New Rochelle; 

1812, Croton. It was in August, of this year, that my 
dear mother departed this life, in holy triumph, leaving 
four little children, of whom I was the eldest. Although I 
was only in ray seventh year, I well remember standing 
by her dying bed, and receiving her last blessing. In 

1813, he was appointed to Redding; and 1814 and 1815, 
Stratford, Conn. In the spring of 1816 he was married 
again, to Miss Louisa Robinson, of Danbury, Conn., 
who still survives him. That year and the following, 
he traveled Chatham circuit; 1818, Rhinebeck; 1819 
and 1820, Durham, Conn.; 1821, Jefferson, with the 
Rev. J. Bangs. This was a year of great spiritual pros- 
perity, several hundred were added to the church; 1822 
and 1823, Bern, with D. Lewis; 1824 and 1825, Mont- 
gomery; 1826 and 1827, Cambridge; 1828, Petersburgh, 
1829 and 1830, Pittstown. At the conference of 1831, 
his relation was changed to supernumerary, and in 1835 
to superannuated, which he continued to sustain till his 
death. For many years he had been subject to a chronic 
diarrhoea. This, with other complaints incident to de- 
clining years, gradually wore him out; however, he 
continued to preach, as long as he consistently could. 
Although his natural and acquired abilities were quite 
inferior to many of the brethren in the ministry, yet his 
labors were owned and blessed of the Lord to the con- 
version and salvation of many souls. He was esteemed 

23 



282 TROY CONFERENCK MI8CELLANT. 

as a good man, and full of faitli and the Holy Ghost. 
His latter years were years of bodily suffering; but I 
have heard it said, by those who were with him, that 
he was meek and quiet as a lamb, never eomplaining or 
repining in the least. The elosing scenes are thus de- 
scribed by my brother: On Wednesday evening preced- 
ing his death, he had a struggle, and shook violently, 
the sweat standing upon him in large drops. They 
supposed he was then struck with death, but he 
revived for a short time; when he came to, he said he 
thouglit the house was on fire, and that he went up in 
the llames to heaven, where he was permitted to see the 
glories of that place, and the faithful who had arrived 
there. His sky was clear to the last. One of his dying 
expressions was, *All is icell !' He gradually sunk away, 
until he slept in death, on Saturday, September 6, 
1851." 

Such is the faithful but very scanty record, of one who 
did effective service in the work of the ministry, for an 
unbroken series of thirty-one years. But the reader 
may ask, did no interesting and instructive events oc- 
cur, in the history of all these years, worthy of record? 
Yes; privations were endured, conllicts passed, deliver- 
ances wrouglit out, and victories achieved. Scenes of 
thrilling interest in connection with the early struggles 
of Methodism, and the progress of the work of God, in 
which father Eames was an actor, must have occurred. 
But, as in other cases, we have to regret that no earthly 
pen has recorded them; and the ievr reminiscences here 
gathered up from the memories of the living, might soon 
have been irrecoverably lost. May not the recital of 
these trials and triumphs of the ambassadors of Christ, 
form a part of the employment and enjoyment of heaven ? 

Fatlt^r Kames is represented, by those who knew him 
long and intimately, as a fair specimen of the old style of 



HENRY EAMES. 283 

MetJiodist preachers. He was deeply pious, and thorough- 
ly devoted to the one work of saving souls. Having 
but few of the extraneous advantages of modern days, 
he spent much time on his knees before God, and in the 
study of the Word of Life. He knew nothing among 
the people " save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." It 
is said of one of our modern preachers, whose outer 
man was any thing but such as would have led a strang- 
er to suspect that he belonged to thfe fraternity, that he 
once called on an honest Dutchman, a member of the 
church, and introduced himself as a Methodist preacher. 
The good brother, after surveying him from head to 
foot, in silent but significant wonder and doubt, for a 
few moments, exclaimed: "Veil, if I shoot cetmine cuii 
to zhoot a Metodish breacher, I vood nefer cock it at 
you." Not so with father Eames. His dress, equipage, 
air, countenance, the intonations of his voice, indeed, his 
tout ensemble bore unequivocal evidence of the fraternity 
to which he belonged. In all places, and under all cir- 
cumstances, whether congenial to those around him or 
otherwise, he exhibited the characteristics of his profes- 
sion. When, at a prayer meeting held by a sister church, 
he was called to order for shouting, he took not the 
slightest notice, but praised God as heartily as though 
he had been with the brethren of his own communion, 
at a camp-meeting. He was always active, happy and 
useful. 

In the early days of his ministry, he often fell, during 
the meeting, and lay motionless for hours. Our various 
classes of readers will philosophize on this subject as sat- 
isfactorily to themselves, as would be any thing the 
writer might say. One remark, however, may safely 
be made, relative to those strange physical efi"ects that 
were so frequently attendant upon the religious exercises 
of our people in former times ; they ivere not feigned. 



284 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

This may be safely inferred, from the faet, that, many 
to whom they occurred were persons of sterling integ- 
rity, uttirly incapable of any thing like hypocrisy. 

Mr. Eames' preaching, like every thing else about him, 
was in the old style. It embraced but a very limited 
range of subjects; these were, liowever, the most im- 
portant. Man*s original state, the fall, redemption by 
Jesus Christ, repentance, faith and holiness, were treat- 
ed of, in almost every sermon. Although there was 
great sameness in his sermons, yet the heart-felt earnest- 
ness, with which tliey were delivered, gave them a fresh- 
ness that rendered them interesting, especially to the 
more pious part of his hearers. His discourses were 
often searching and pungent, and attended with a divine 
unction, that made them " the power of God unto salva- 
tion." Such was Rev. Henry Eames; his son. Rev. 
Joseph Eames, now (L'^oS) in the twenty-seventh year 
of his ministry, is an honorable representative of his 
pious father. 



< ^ ♦ » »■ 



REV. JAMES F. BURROWS.* 

'' How beautiful it is for man to die 
Upon the walls of ZionI to be called, 
Like a watch-worn and weary sentinel, 
To put his armor off, and rest — in heaven !" 

Is there not exquisite pleasure in the recollections of 
a devoted, self-sacrificing man of God, who, in all the 
freshness and vigor of youth has fallen on the moral 
battle-field ? Precious to surviving friends is the memory 

• For much of thii article the writer is indebted to a relative of 
Mr. Burrowi. 



JAMES F. BURROWS. 285 

of such a Christian with whom they have walked life's 
pathway and taken sweet counsel. "The memory of 
the just is blessed." How many, just sitting out upon 
their ministerial career, are called from the sacred walls 
of Zion to step into the chariot of fire, and be heralded 
by angels into the celestial city, " to go no more out." 
What the attainments of such would have been had 
they lived, we are not permitted to know. 

James F. Buitows possessed many traits of character 
which seemed to mirror forth a career of distinguished 
usefulness. He was born Feb. 10, 1826, in the town 
of Monroe, Saratoga county, N. Y. At an early age he 
was deprived of the counsels and reproofs of a father. 
Providence, however, watched over him, and by the di- 
rection of an elder brother he went to reside with a 
gentleman in Mechanicsville, where in 1843 he sought 
and found the pearl of great price. He now devoted 
much of his time to study, especially to the perusal of 
the scriptures. His zealous devotion to the sabbath 
school and all the means of grace, together with his 
unblamable and exemplary life, attested the genuine- 
ness of the change wrought in him, and evinced his 
growth in grace. In the fall of 1843, at a camp meet- 
ing held at Cambridge, he sought the blessing of " per- 
fect love," and attained that high state of religious ex- 
perience, which he retained, still growing in grace, un- 
til glory in heaven completed what grace on earth had 
begun. He was enabled to give such unequivocal evi- 
dence of the attainments he had made in the divine life 
as satisfied those who knew him that God had done 
great things for him. Among others who testify to his 
worth, Rev. T. Spicer says of him; " I believe brother 
Burrows enjoyed the blessing of perfect love." 

Under the conviction that he was called of God to 
preach the gospel, he, by his own diligence, frugality 



286 TROT CONPKRENCE MISCELLANY. 

and perseverance, obtained the means of attending that 
excellent institution, the Biblical Institute, at Concord, 
N. II., where he prosecuted his studies with great dili- 
gence. In 1847 he was licensed to preach. Soon after 
his return from Concord he formed a most happy and 
suitable mariago alliance with Miss Lydia Jane Ensign, 
daughter of Rev. D. Ensign, a sketch of whose life is 
found in this volume. With a companion in life whose 
intelligence and piety well qualilied her for her pro- 
spective station, with his own heart lillcd with love to 
God and sympathy for perishing souls, and with fair 
educational advantages, he entered the work of the 
ministry under circumstances that promised much for 
the cause of truth. 

lie was one of a class of twenty who united with the 
Troy Conference on trial in 1848, and was appointed 
preacher in charge at Galway in his native county. In 
1849 he was associated with Eev. H. Meeker on Fort 
Ann circuit. The next year we find him at Benson, 
in Vermont. There our happy young itinerant and his 
companion received a sacred loan which thiy early con- 
secrated to God in baptism; just as they were beginning 
to lind tlic fibres of their hearts becoming entwined 
about its tender being, however, it was taken from them 
to a fairer clime. 

At the close of tliis year a broncliial affection had so 
far prostrated him as to compel him to retire from the 
work to which he had been consecrated. He returned 
to Mechanicsville, where every available means was used 
for his restoration. It was not long, however, before 
his anxious friends were compelled to see that the con- 
sumption had fastened its deadly fangs upon him. For 
some time he could not think it possible that his work 
should bo so soon accomplished. As is common with 
the victims of that insidious disease, he entertained 



JAMES F. BURROWS. 287 

some hope of recovery until near his end; when, how- 
ever, he became convinced that the time of his depart- 
ure was at hand, he cheerfully submitted to the will 
of God. A few days before he died, when asked by his 
father-in-law if Jesus was precious, he answered, with 
glory beaming hi his countenance, " Jesus is very pre- 
cious; I long to be with him in glory." As the closing 
scene drew nigh when the silver cord, that had for a 
long time been loosening, was to be severed, and the 
golden bowl broken, he affectionately kissed his devoted 
companion and bid her and all his friends, farewell. 
After this, while his wife leaned over him watching his 
expiring breath, he revived a little and whispered, 
"Why does the chariot delay?" then exclaiming, "Hal- 
lelujah! Hallelujah!" he passed, in the full enjoyment 
of his intellect, to the regions of eternal blessedness. 
He died April 2d, 1852, in Mechanicsville, at the early 
age of twenty-six years. 

" O ! is it not a noble thing to die 

As dies the Christian, with his armor on !" 

Mr. Burrows* preaching abilities were good. His ser- 
mons were sound, systematic and practical, and de- 
livered with great energy and pathos. His whole soul 
seemed in a blaze of love while he " preached Jesus 
and the resurrection." He delighted to dwell upon the 
story of the cross, the riches of grace, and the glories 
of heaven. 



288 



TROY CONKERKNCE MISCELLANY. 



REV. ELIJAir ]}. UriJIiAKD--^^ 

Elijah 13. Hubbard, was the son of Rev. T. Hubbard, 
a highly esteemed and useful local preacher. He was 
born in the town of Pitt^ficld, Massachusetts, in the 
last year of the past century. Under the pious influ- 
ences of his paternal home, Elijah manifested at an 
early age a clear apprehension of religious things, and, 
at the tender age of seven years, was brought to realize 
the promise, " They that seek me early shall find me." 
He had often expressed a desire to learn to love the Sav- 
ior, and his father, finding that he was intelligently 
seeking after God, made him the special subject of 
prayer; and while engaged in the morning devotions 
at the family altar, young Elijah was enabled to sec 
Jesus as his Savior. These early religious influences, 
though not as full}' cherished as they might have been, 
were the means of restraining him through his youth 
and early manhood from the grosser forms of wicked- 
ness. 

At the age of twenty-five Mr. Hubbard married Miss 
Mary E. Hand, of Albany, with whom he lived happily 
for twenty-four years, and by whom he had nine child- 
ren. 

During the year preceding his making a public profes- 
sion of religion, his course was marked by the careful 
observance of the outward forms of morality and pro- 
priety. In the year 1829 or 1830, during the progress 
of a revival in the old Division street church, in the 
city of Albany, he made a public profession of the reli- 

• The writer is under special obligations to R.'v. J. M, Edgerlon 
for assistance in preparing this sketch. 



ELIJAH B. HUBBARD. 289 

gion of Jesus Christ, and united with the church. Al- 
most immediately, he began with earnestness to exhort 
sinners to repentance, and very soon was appointed a 
class leader; in which office he was acceptable and use- 
ful. About one year after, his brethren advised him to 
take a relation to the church affording a more extensive 
field of usefulness; and, this advice according with his 
own convictions of duty, he asked for, and obtained a 
local preacher's license. He held this office for about 
four years; when, finding himself embarrassed by the 
division of his mind between his secular business and 
the ministry of the word, he fully surrendered himself 
to the latter calling. 

In the fall of 1834 he went as a " supply " to Pitts- 
town circuit, where he labored until the Conference of 
1835, at which time he was received on trial by the Troy 
Annual Conference. His first appointment was to 
Cambridge circuit, where, during two years, he enjoyed 
the confidence and affection of the people, and the 
blessing of God upon his labors. In 1837 he was or- 
dained deacon, and appointed to Bennington, Vt., where 
he also spent two years. From 1839 to 1841 the peo- 
ple of Dalton, a town adjoining that of his nativity, 
enjoyed his ministrations. The next year was spent at 
Greenwich, Washington county, N. Y. He spent the 
succeeding year on the Pawlet circuit, in Vermont. In 
1845 and J 846 we find him on the Fort Ann circuit, where 
bis labors were eminently blessed of God. 

At the Conference of 1847, he received his appoint- 
ment to Middlebury, Vt., where he experienced the 
great trial of his life. The hand of affliction was laid 
upon him. Hitherto, both himself and his family 
had enjoyed almost uninterrupted good health. But 
now disease prostrated him, and death laid his dearest 
earthly friend, his wife, in the grave. To his extremely 



i90 TROY CONFERENCE MISCEIJJINT. 

sensitive nature, tliis was a most severe shock; from its 
effects it is thought he never entirely recovered. Al- 
thouf^h he received an appointment to Burlington at 
the ensuing conference, 1«48, sucli was his prostration 
of mind and body that he was able to perform the 
ftinctions of the ministry but a small portion of the 
year. A partial and temporary mental aberration gave 
rise to the most painful apprehensions on the part of 
his friends. Rest, a change of scenery, and kind at- 
tentions, however, by the blessing of God, resulted in 
great improvement. 

Before the close of this year, Mrs. Mary Cammack 
became the sharer of his joys and sorrows; a woman 
well qualified to be his companion, to cheer him in his 
despondency, and take the charge of his helpless young 
family. At the conference of 1849, he was so far re- 
covered as to take an appointment to Castleton, Vt. 
In 1851 he was appointed a second time to the Fort 
Ann circuit, where, after a few months of toil and 
anxiety as preacher in charge, he ended his life and 
labors. 

The disease to which he fell a victim was a pulmonary 
inflammation, with which he was seizedearly in January, 
1852. While suffering from physical prostration, the 
result of protracted efforts at the Ridge, he was called 
on to preach a funeral sermon at a school house about 
two miles from Fort Edward. Although the weather 
was cold, the crowded room and confined air almost 
overcame him. On concluding the services, he imme- 
diately seated himself in an open sleigh, in the cold air, 
and rode some distance to the burying ground. This 
imprudent act, performed in the kindness of his heart 
toward the alHicted, cost him his life. The transition 
from the heated school house in his exhausted state of 
body, suddenly checked perspiration, and brought on a 
a severe pleuratic aCfcction. 



ELIJAH B. HUBBARD. 291 

A high fever followed, in which the lungs were in- 
volved. All efforts proved unavailing; and gradually 
sinking under the power of disease, he died on the 22d 
day of the following April. Thus fell, in the prime of 
life, an able minister of Jesus Christ, a victim to the 
unreasonable usage of having the officiating minister 
follow the corpse to the grave. Nor was he the first or 
last victim to this murderous custom. It is scarcely pos- 
sible to conceive of any thing more disastrous to those 
delicate organs concerned in respiration and speaking, 
than the excitement and exhaustion attendant upon a 
country funeral. The house almost always crowded, is 
left for a long, slow ride to the grave yard, there to 
stand shivering in the snow until the grave is filled, and 
then take another ride home. And yet, knowing that 
this is expected, many of our preachers, even when in 
feeble health, do not feel at liberty to decline it, lest 
they should add to the sorrows of those already smit- 
ten and afflicted. When iZw/?/ demands it, and the sal- 
vation of souls requires it, the Christian minister should 
fear no danger, flinch from no exposure ; but the life of 
such an one is worth too much to the church and the 
world to be sacrificed to a needless custom. 

In person, Mr. Hubbard was of about the medium 
height; of full habit, and inclined to corpulency. His 
countenance wore an expression of cheerfulness and 
kindness well calculated to make a favorable impression. 
In his attire, he was scrupulously exact and tasty. In 
his intercourse with society, he was pleasant, dignified 
and courteous, open, communicative and social. Ex- 
ceedingly sensitive himself, he was careful not to 
wound the feelings of others. Of an ardent tempera- 
ment, he was greatly chagrined when he failed in any 
undertaking. A confiding frankness was a marked trait 
in his character, which led him sometimes to speak of 
himself and his affairs, with a freedom that might have 



292 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

appeared to some to savor of egotism. To his family 
he^^was ardently attaehcd. Constitutionally kind-heart- 
ed, ho erred, perhaps, in allowing his sympathies to 
overcome his firmness, in the government of his child- 
ren. Early in life, his mind was stored with religious 
truth. The works of Wesley and Fletcher, and the 
preaching of the early Methodists made their lasting 
impression upon his youthful mind. The great doc- 
trine of a free and full salvation for the world, by faith 
in Jesus Christ, was strongly engraved upon his mind 
and heart. 

Jlis piety was nnquestiouable. Such, however, was his 
natural temperament, that his religious emotions were 
greatly infiuenced by external circumstances. Sickness 
not only prostrated his body, it also often affected his 
mind; a deep depression, doubting and fears ensued. 
Perhaps none but experienced Christians, of a similar 
temperament, can appreciate his sufferings, in those 
seasons of trial and temptation. In the midst of these, 
there was manifested a resolute cleaving to the cross of 
Christ. His ardent longings for full conformity to the 
divine image, were manifested in his devotions, and are 
indicated in his diary, a few extracts from which are 
here given. 

*'Sept. 12. I still find roots of bitterness in my heart; 
Lord extract them. Take away my heart of stone, and 
give me a heart of flesh. I desire to count all things 
but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ. 
**i:i. Still mourningover my aptitude to unbelief; yet, 
thank God, I have some faith, some peace. 

**14. I commenced this day, as usual, by reading a 
chapter on my knees; but do not feel as deeply on the 
subject as I could wish. 

**1H. On the whole, feel some better in soul and body. 
0, my God! save me from sin and Satan's power, and 
all praise shall be thine, in time and in eteruitj. 



ELIJAH B. HUBBARD. 293 

"26. Still pleading for love; supreme love to God, and 
love to all mankind. 

"30. My heart's desire and prayer to God is, that the 
work of holiness might be perfected in me." 

As a preacher y he was successful in winning sotils to 
Christ. In several of his appointments, revivals of re- 
ligion accompanied his labors. The writer never heard 
him preach, and, therefore, can not speak with the con- 
fidence he otherwise might, of his style in the pulpit. 
His mind was peculiarly unfitted for debate, and he 
seldom engaged in it. He loved peace, and preferred to 
dwell on those truths generally acknowledged among 
Christians. He was much more accustomed to speak 
words of encouragement, than to denounce the terrors of 
the divine law. His sermons, so far as the language is 
concerned, were mostly extemporaneous; nothing more 
than a " sketch," or " skeleton," being used in the pul- 
pit. His voice is said to have been flexible and power- 
ful. He frequently illustrated his sermons, by the rela- 
tion of incidents, with happy effect. 

His uncommon sensitiveness, and subjection to sea- 
sons of gloom and depression, were a source of trial to 
him, in regard to his preaching. During those seasons, 
he could not preach with satisfaction to himself. He 
imagined, at such times, that all he said was dark and 
improfitable; and his acute sensibility was greatly 
shocked at his supposed failures. Satan, too, would 
take advantage of such seasons, and he would be tempt- 
ed to believe that he had never been called to the work 
of the ministry. The following extract from his diary, 
gives some insight into those conflicts : 

"June 29, 1841. Yesterday, I did not preach, or go to 

meeting. I took some medicine, read two of Mr. Wesley's 

sermons, and examined myself. Felt that I was a vary 

unprofitable servant. Prayed and groaned on mv knees 
24 



204 TROY CONFEHKNCK MISCELLANY, 

before God, and cried, 'Who is sufficient for these things ?' 
To-day am somewhat relieved, but still a cloud hangs 
over my mind, and something seems to whisper, * What 
if God has not called you to preach?' 0, God! if lam 
wrong, forgive and set me right. I think myself sincere. 
I will try, by grace divine, to live to thy glory. Oh, 
keep me!" 

Though ordinarily happy in God, and in his ministe- 
rial work, yet such were the inward conflicts through 
which he sometimes passed. 

lie was a good pastor, lie delighted in telling of the 
love of the Savior, to the people, at their own houses. 
Tlie children, being kindly noticed by him, learned to 
love him. His deep sympathy with the altiicted rend- 
ered him a welcome visitor at the sick room. 

His death was peaceful, and calmly triumphant. He 
was constitutionally timid, in view of death; but the 
promises, which he had so often exhibited to others, sus- 
tained him in the trying scenes of closing life. lie was 
enabled to exercise a faith in God, that gave him com- 
fort, and freedom from anxiety and fear. Though called 
to leave a dependent family, with very limited temporal 
resources, he planned for their comfort when he should 
no longer be with them, and encouraged them to trust 
in God. His confidence that his family would be pro- 
vided for, was not misplaced: the people of Fort Ed- 
ward, his last charge, gave substantial evidence of their 
regard for him and his, and the seed of the righteous 
have not begged bread. 

As for himself, all was well. There were no mur- 
murings, no fears, no doubts. His soul was calmly stayed 
on God. His feet were upon the rock. In the midst of 
pain, he could say: 

" F«»revcr here my n-st shall be, 

Close lo thy bleeding siilc; 
Thj« all my hope, ami all my plea, 

For me iho Savior Uivd. 



CYRUS BOLSTER. 295 

There was no " taking a leap in the dark." The veil 
was parted, and rays of celestial light shone upon his 
last journey. He triumphed as the disciple of his risen 
Lord. When he could no longer articulate, he raised 
his hands in token of victory. 

Thus, at the age of fifty-three, having spent eighteen 
years in the Christian ministry, died Elijah Brainard 
Hubbard. A discourse was preached on the occasion of 
his death, at Fort Edward, where he died, by his pre- 
siding elder. Rev. S. Washburn, to a large and deeply 
mterested congregation, on " The labor, rest and re- 
ward of the Christian minister." His remains were 
interred in the cemetery, between Fort Edward and 
Sandy Hill, in a spot selected by himself. His memory 
will long be cherished by a large circle of warm friends. 



REV. CYRUS BOLSTER, A. M. 

During the winter of 1837-8, the village of Rensse- 
laerville, Albany county, N. Y., was visited with a 
gracious revival of religion. Those who, like good old 
Simeon, had waited long for the salvation of Israel re- 
joiced in Christ's appearing. Meetings were held 
daily, the attention of the community was aroused to 
the contemplation of spiritual things, and many a pray- 
ing parent was made to rejoice in seeing his prayers 
answered in the awakening and conversion of his sons 
and daughters. 

There was in that village, at the time, a young man 
of superior mind, and unusual amiability, engaged in 
study with a view to the legal profession. He was gen- 



296 TROV CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

erally regarded as an uncommon young man, and it had 
been predicted tliat he would " become a distinguished 
man." An unusual solicitude was felt that he might 
become a subject of the work of grace, both on his own 
account, and in view of the influence which he waa 
known to exert upon the young people of the place. 
Several spoke to him on the subject, but without any 
apparent etfect. He amused himself and his friends by 
arguing that /«m«/es had no souls, and that consequently 
thei/ need have no anxiety on the subject of religion. 
The Holy Spirit was however at work upon the mind 
of that young man; his soul was the arena of a conflict 
which his sportive arguments were intended to conceal. 
His professional prospects constituted the great obstacle, 
in his mind, to becoming a Christian. 

One evening he entered the church under a deep sense 
of the importance of personal religion; but firmly re- 
solved, at all hazards, to resist every means that might 
be used to influence him in that direction. At the close 
of the sermon, while the congregation were upon their 
feet, the penitent were invited to kneel at the altar. 
Such were his emotions that he could not stand up 
without betraying them, and he kept his seat. A well- 
known, aged disciple of that village, stepped to his side 
and whispered in his ear, Cyrus, do your duty. His first 
impulse was a feeling of pride and mortification, and 
contrary to his usual gentlemanly bearing, he thought, 
*' I will give him a blast;" but as he raised his head to 
do it he found his friend no longer by his side, A sud- 
den reversion of thought and feeling ensued. He saw 
himself fighting against God — resisting the kindest ef- 
forts of his people — sinning against his own mercies — 
his soul sank in penitence — grace triumphed — Cyrus 
was at the altar of God. seeking mercy. 

The next morning found him on his way to his father's 



CYRUS BOLSTEfi. 297 

house, about three miles distant. To shorten the 
distance, he left the road and crossed the fields, in do- 
ing u^hich he came to a barn. Into that barn he entered, 
and, prostrating himself before God, confessed the sins 
of his youth and implored forgiveness of him who seeth 
in secret. Angels rejoiced, God heard his earnest plead- 
ings, and filled his soul with peace and joy. He left 
that barn a new creature in Christ. Ilis conversion 
was clear and joyous. The same afternoon, he returned 
to the village, it being entirely unknown to the people 
where or how he had spent the day. That evening,^ 
when the invitation was given for those who were seek« 
ing God to come forward for prayers, he rose in his^ 
place, turned around to the congregation, and declared: 
with a full heart, what God had wrought in his soul;' 
exhorting his young friends to accompany him in his 
new life. The effect was overwhelming ; a general rush 
was made to the altar. From that time, Cyrus Bolster's 
attention was turned from the law to the gospel. 

At the time of his conversion he was about twenty 
years of age. He at once became active in the cause 
of his new Master. A faw days subsequent to his con- 
version, he visited the village school, of which he had 
been, a short time previously, the teacher, and there 
confessed the wrong he had done in the argument he 
had used relative to female religion, assured them that 
they had souls, and besought them, in the most affecting 
manner, by the solemnities of the judgment day, to 
prepare to meet God. 

His former plans being abandoned, and having now 
the Christian ministry in view, he prepared himself for 
college, and shortly after entered the Wesleyan Univer- 
sity. After prosecuting a part of his course at Mid- 
dletown, he left for a season, in 1839, and spent about 
one year in the family of the Hon. Freeborn Garrettson, 



298 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

of Kliinebcck, N. Y., as private tutor to liis sons. Mr. 
Garrettson says of him, at this time, "his urbane 
manners, his gentle and Christian dispositions, and his 
Litt'lligence for so young a man, gained alike the esteem 
and respect of us all." lie left that family for the 
university, under the pledge that when he should have 
completed his collegiate course, he would return to 
superintend the edueaiion of Mr. Garreltson's sons, and 
a few other select youths. lie graduated in 1842, with 
credit to himself and his Alma Mater, and returned to 
the family of F. Garrettson, Esq., where he was wel- 
comed and remained as tutor, between three and four 
years. He enjoyed the cordial friendship of that family 
until the day of his death, being regarded by them 
*' rather as a near relative than as a friend." 

In 18 15, he united with the New York Conference, 
and was appointed to Khinebeck, and subsequently to 
Hyde Park, and Lenox, Mass. In each of these ap- 
pointments he is spoken of in the highest terms. 

In the spring of 1848, his health being insufficient for 
the duties ol the pastorate, he took charge of the Lan- 
singburgh academy, where he continued until the 
spring of 1851. In 1849, while at Lansinburgh, he 
was transferred from the New York to the Trjy Con- 
ference. In the latter conference, however, he never 
held the pastoral relation. As a teacher he was inde- 
fatigable and successful. The academy, in Lansing- 
burgli, prospered greatly under his supervision. On 
leaving the above named institution, he became connected 
with the Jonesville Academy, where he remained until 
the fall of 1851, when, in the hope of improving his 
health by a southern climate, he went to New Orleans. 
He there entered the family of Hon. H. W. K. Hill, as 
tutor, where he became a great favorite, and remained 
until his death. He died, February 17, 1853, aged 



CYRUS BOLSTER, 299 

thirty-five years, of typhoid fever, after an iHness of 
about six weeks, the last twelve days of which hj was 
confined to his bed. Nothing that wealth, medical skill, 
or sympathy could do for him, in his last sickness was 
left undone. He expressed a desire to live, but often 
said, " God's will, not mine, be done." Those who 
were with him in his last sickness say, that though 
**his sufferings were great, his last moments were his 
happiest." Mrs. Hill, who watched over him with a 
mother's care, said to him, when near his end, " Mr. 
Bolster, you are almost gone." He replied, *' My dear 
madam, I know it." She then asked him if he felt 
perfectly resigned to die, to which he replied, " Cer- 
tainly I am." These were his last words. A college 
class mate who was with him, saj^s, " After he was 
unable to articulate, and but a few moments before his 
death, to my question if all was well, and he was happy 
in the love of the Savior, he made an effort to respond, 
but not being able to speak, he pressed my hand firmly 
in affirmation.'^ His remains were returned to his pa- 
ternal home, and with appropriate religious services, in 
the church where sixteen years before, he had been 
brought to Clirist, committed to the tomb, in his native 
town of Berne, Albany county, N. Y. 

The following sketch of his character, is from the pen 
of his intimate friend, Rev. Zebulon Phillips. 

"As the space which I am to occupy is necessarily 
limited, I can only refer to some of the most prominent 
traits in the character of my dear friend, and in describ- 
ing them great brevity must be observed. 

*'I will state, then, in the first place, that the physical 
constitution of Mr. Bolster, was always rather delicate, 
but his intellectual powers w^ere sound and vigorous. 
He had a penetrating and comprehensive mind, a fine 
perception, and elegant taste. These important talents 



300 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

were blendeil with a sound judgment, and a sense of the 
truly beautiful and sublime, peculiar to himself; and 
still fartlier heightened by an imagination and invention 
cquilly lively, and a memory uncommonly capacious 
and retentive. 'Xo cultivate these admirable natural 
endowments, he employed the most assiduous care, and 
unwearied industry. By his diligent study of the Ro- 
man and Greek classics, of logic and philosophy, and of 
the best poets and historians, and especially the scrip- 
tures, he collected a large stock of the best ideas, and 
enriched his mind with a variety of select and useful 
knowledge. But while he assiduously applied himself 
to acquire wisdom from the ancients, he was not un- 
mindful of current events, or of the advantages to be 
derived from intercourse with intelligent and refined 
society. He studied men and things intensely, and 
formed his judgment cautiously. Indeed, he possessed 
rare social gifts, and accomplishments, hence his com-- 
pany was always desired where he was known. His 
accomplishments as a gt-ntleman were unsurpassed. 
Hmniliiy and self-respect were never more happily 
blended. He was always ready to perform any service 
wliieh might contribute to the pleasure of others, while 
he scrupulously kept himself from contact with anything 
objectionable. 

"Of his character as a friend, volumes might be written. 
It was so pure, and generous, and enduring, that no 
ordinary adversity could impair it. It is as true, as it 
was proper, that he formed his friendships with great 
caution, but when they wcrethus formed ** manj' waters 
could not quench" them. He unbosomed himself with- 
out restraint, or mental reservation, in a manner per- 
fectly inimitable and indescribable, and yet so cautiously, 
that he could not be betrayed to his injury, if perfidious- 
liess should ever occur. It has been my privilege to 



CYRUS BOLSTER. 301 

cultivate intimate friendship with many excellent per- 
sons, but, without disparagement to them, candor 
compels me to say, that it never fell to my lot, to cul- 
tivate a stronger, or a more confiding friendship, than 
with the subject of this sketch. His piety, was sincere 
without ostentation. From the hour of his conversion, 
until his course was finished upon the earth, he never 
faltered. No unauspicious circumstances could dis- 
courage him, or flattering prospects seduce him from 
the pursuit of religion. I will not say, that other friends 
were not as familiar with his religious experience as 
myself, though I have often been assured by him, that 
there was no person on earth to whom he opened his 
heart so freely, and so fully, and I am sure that it has 
never been my privilege to know a more honest, con- 
scientious, God-fearing man than Cyrus Bolster. It was 
his delight to contemplate the stupendous riches of that 
grace which is displayed in the salvation of the chief of 
sinners. And oh, with what pathos would he describe 
the work of the Spirit on his own heart, and the full 
wealth of that love which had been imparted to him 
through the manifold riches of divine grace. Precious 
through all my remaining life, will be the recollection 
of many facts connected with the experience of my de- 
parted friend. I am fully aware that a judgment so 
partial as this, may be distrusted by some who think 
they knew Mr. B. I do not mean to say that he had 
no faults, but I will venture to say, that the facts to 
which a certain class of excellent people sometimes took 
exception, are as susceptible of justification, as certain 
other facts in their own character. Mr. Bolster was 
excessively modest, and as he had an unconquerable aver- 
sion to mere pretension, he was consequently liable to be 
misjudged. A man of more humble spirit, of more sincere 
and earnest piety, it has not been my privilege to know. 



302 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

I shall close this very brief and imperfect sketch with 
a few words respecting his nunistcriai gifts and useful- 
ness, and altliough I may expose myself to tlie charge of 
partiality, or of ignorance respecting ministerial talents 
and success, I shall nevertheless speak out honestly and 
fearlessly. As a minister, Mr. Bolster possessed some 
very rare and peculiar qualifications. As I have re- 
marked above, lie enjoyed the advantages of a liberal 
and an accomplished education, with which was blended 
a strong desire to do good. He was, therefore, always 
prepared to communicate something important to be 
known. During the short period of his actual and 
and regular ministry, the point he chiefly labored to 
accomplish, was, to beget in his people's minds an abid- 
ing sense that God was their chief good; their only 
sufhcicnt happiness and portion; that the blessed Jesus 
was the foundation of their pardon and acceptance, and 
salvation; that all their dependence for acquiring the. 
beauties of holiness, and the consolation and pleasures 
of a religious life, was to be placed in the Holy Ghost, 
the Comforter; whose oihce is to "take the things of 
Christ, and to show them unto " men, and to give them 
to " know the things that are freely given to " them " of 
God." Mr. Bolster's manner of preaching was much 
admired. The propositions he insisted on were few, 
but always of very weighty and edilying import, and 
legitimatt ly drawn from the text under consideration. 
His explanations were clear and accurate, his proofs 
plain and decisive; his illustrations beautiful and enter- 
taining, and his application close and searching. Indeed, 
such was the depth of his thoughts; such the propriety 
of his words; and such the variety, force and fire of his 
style; so remarkable was the justness of his reasoning, 
and so judicious the change of his method, that, not- 
withstanding he invariably pursued the same end; yet 



CYRUS BOLSTER. 303 

proceeding by different paths, and varying his address, 
according as he meant to alarm, convince or comfort, 
he was so far from becoming tedious, that he never failed 
to please, as well as to improve his audience. 

The above is intended as a description of Mr. Bolster's 
actual ministry, and I desire that this fact should be 
borne in mind, as those who became acquainted with 
him, after he was compelled to abandon the ministry, 
on account of infirm health, and who only heard him 
occasionally will hardly be prepared for such a eulogy. 
I have only to say that they knew not the man as a 
minister. Some few persons knew him as a teacher, 
and were prepared to accord to him extraordinary merit 
in that department, and never was the meed of appro- 
bation more justly bestowed, for he was preeminent in 
that calling, but, I hestitate not to say, that he was 
equall}^ eminent as an ambassador of Christ. 

I ought to add in closing, that he was one of the most 
faithful and affectionate of pastors. He loved to search 
out the poor and sick of his flock, and impart to them con- 
solation and instruction. In this work he took especial 
pleasure; indeed, such was his zeal to be a minister of 
mercy to the infirm and the needy, that he would cheer- 
fully exhaust his strength for the comfort of the one, 
and his means for the relief of the other. He was a 
noble man and his end is blessed." 



304 TROY CONFKRENCK M18CKLLANT. 



IIEV. OLlVKli EMKKSON. 

*'The furnace of affliction may be fierce but if it refinelh thy soul, 
The good of one meek thought shall outweigh years of torment." 

Tl I TKU. 

The subject of this sketch was introduced to tlic joys 
and sorrows of life, on the 3'Jth day of August, lt<14, 
in the town of Danby, Rutland county, Vt. His father 
was a carpenter by trade, a native of New Hampshire, 
but soon after his marriage he removed to Danby, where 
he spent most of his days. Oliver Emerson had five 
sisters and two brothers, some of whom, with his 
mother, are wortliy members of the Mctliodist Episcopal 
church. 

When about fourteen years of age, he heard the Rev. 
T. Spicer preach at a quarterly meeting. The sermon 
made an impression upon his mind that deeply affected 
him for several weeks. As is too often the case, how- 
ever, it was not yielded to, and gradually passed away. 
His conversion was effected chielly through the instru- 
mentality of his sister Luciuda, now the wife of Rev. 
Joseph Eames. This pious sister availed herself of 
every opportunity of pressing the subject of personal 
religion upon the attention of her young brother. One 
evening, *' we went," says Mr. Emerson, " to visit 
some of our young friends, and returned after the other 
members of the family had retired to rest. On our 
arrival at home, she asked me to read a portion of the 
scriptures; I did so, and after I had finished she wished 
me to pray. To this I objected, and advocated the 
sentiments of the Uiiivcrsalists. Slie remonstrated, 
and at last knelt down and prayed most fervently for mc. 



OLIVER EMERSON. 305 

*' Soon after, being about to leave home, she invited 
her young friends to spend an evening with her before 
she left. She took this opportunity of conversing with 
us all on the subject of religion, and her appeals pro- 
duced a powerful effect on my mind. The next sabbath 
evening, while sitting in the family circle, I felt so 
deeply impressed with my lost state, that I could not 
refrain from weeping, and I besought my mother to pray 
for me. She did so. The following sabbath evening, 
at a prayer meeting. I asked the prayers of the congre- 
gation. While engaged in social prayer, light broke in 
upon my mind ; joy and peace sprung up in my poor heart. 
On the 23d of November, 1&30, I was received on trial 
in the Methodist Episcopal church, by Rev. Joshua 
Poor." 

Such is Mr. Emerson's own account of his conversion. 
How instructive the example of that sister ! "Who will 
venture to estimate the result of Lucinda's earnest 
efforts and fervent prayers in behalf of her wayward 
brother? But for her, Oliver Emerson might have lived 
and died in impenitence. Through her instrumentality, 
not only was a brother converted to God, but scores, 
probably hundreds, have been brought to Christ through 
his ministry, and what they in their turn may do to 
advance the Redeemer's kingdom, God only knows. 
Some of them, as they read this page, may bless God 
that Lucinda felt, and labored, and prayed, as she did. 
Little did she think as she kneelrd in player for that 
brother, who refused to pray for himself, that she was 
setting in motion a train of saving influences, that will, 
in all probability, continue long after she shall have 
joined her brother in heaven. Fair reader, is thy bro- 
ther or sister unsaved? *' Go thou and do Jikeivise." 

A revival took place in Pontoosue, in the town of 
Pittsfield, Mass., in 1851, where Mr. Emerson then 
25 



306 TROY CONFKRENCE MISCELLANY. 

lived, which was attributed, in a great measure, to his 
instrumentality. Mcanwliile, his bosom was tlie scene 
of severe conflicts. By iiiglit and day his thoughts 
dwelt incessantly on the work of the Christian minis- 
try. His youth, want of education and of means by 
which to procure it, appeared as insurmountable obsta- 
cles in his way, and yet the conviction rested on his 
soul with crusliing weight: ** Wo is me, if I preach not 
the gospel." lie at length made known his convictions 
to his pastor, and was advised to go to some manual 
labor school; accordingly, in May, 1833, he entered "Wil- 
braham Academy. After spending a limited season 
there, during which time he was licensed as an exhorter, 
he was compelled to leave the institution for want of 
means to prosecute his studies. 

His feelings, on leaving Wilbraham, may be more 
readily imagined than described. He sa3's, in reference 
to this subject, "Oh! did the church know the feelings 
of indigent young men, did they know the embarrass- 
ments under which they labor, some means, I am sure, 
would be provided, to aid them in preparing for the 
great work of the Christian ministry." Scores of young 
men in our own communion, destitute of the means of 
preparing for the work to which God has called them, 
would, did not modesty prevent it, plead with the 
church to provide institutions, with a special reference 
to theological education. For the want of such provi- 
sions, many are compelled to enter upon the duties of 
their high calling, under disadvantages, which, amid 
the incessant labors of the itinerancy, they can never 
fully overcome. Could this subject be seen in its true 
light, by the church at large, theological seminaries, 
like those of our Wesleyan brethren in England, or our 
own Biblical Institute, at Concord. N. H., would spring 
up in every section of the land. The writer would take 



i 



OLIVER EMERSON. 307 

this opportunity of recording his solemn conviction, 
that suitable provision for the thorough training of young 
men for the loork of the ministri/, is the great desideratum 
of the Methodist Church In this country. 

In July, 1834, Mr. Emerson was licensed to preach, 
and recommended to the Troy Annual Conference. 
About six weeks intervened between this and the session 
of the conference, which he spent on the Pittsford cir- 
cuit, where some twenty or more were converted to 
God. He looked upon the first fruits of his ministry 
as a confirmation of his call to the work. He was 
received by the Troy Conference, and appointed to Pitts- 
field, Mass., with Rev. T. Benedict. In view of the 
character of this charge, and his youthful associations 
in the place, he was greatly surprised and confounded 
at this appointment. He wasj however, well received 
on the circuit, and he makes grateful record of his obli- 
gations to his colleague, who treated him with charac- 
teristic kindness. 

The next year, he labored on Saratoga circuit, with 
Rev. John Ilarwood. From the conference of 1836, he 
was sent to the Halfmoon circuit. Rev. 0. Pier being 
his colleague. On the 17th of January, 1837, he was 
united in marriage to Miss Betsey Stead, daughter of 
Rev. Henry Stead, a well-known veteran of the cross. 
In 1837 he was appointed to Esperance, with Rev. H. 
L. Starks. The year was one of severe labor; at its 
close, an increase of forty-nine members was returned. 
At the ensuing conference the circuit was divided, and 
Oliver Emerson was appointed to Palatine Bridge, the 
part of the circuit on which he had resided the former 
year. Early in the winter, seriousness began to prevail 
among the people, and about Christmas, the work of 
God manifested itself, by several persons making known 
their desire of salvation. Meetings were held every 



308 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

evening for several weeks, during wliich Mr. Eincrson 
preaclied some seventy sermons, and about one hundred 
were professedly converted to God, of whom between 
sLxty and seventy united with the church of which he 
was pastor. 

The following year he was appointed to the North- 
ampton circuit, and in 1840, to Waterford. Some acts of 
kindness, shown him on his arrival at that pleasant 
village, gave him a happy impression of the character 
of our people in that place. A committee of the brethren 
met him at the depot, to welcome him and his family to 
the place, and provide temporary entertainment, while 
a committee of ladies attended to the cleansing and ar- 
ranging of the parsonage. A preacher and his family, 
when arriving at a new appointment among strangers, 
appreciates such attentions. In some places, our people 
know how to "do up " such things handsomely, and in 
some places they do not. Mr. Emerson was much 
afflicted in person, and in his family, while at Waterford. 
He was returned a second year, and on the 18th of 
October, 1841, he was called to part with his beloved 
companion. She died in great peace. 

In June, ls42, he was appointed to Lansingburgh. In 
November, of the same year, he married Miss Sarah 
Stead, a sister of his former wife. After the calls and 
compliments of the occasion were over, we find Mr. 
Emerson laboriously engaged in his appropriate work, 
and an extensive revival followed. About one hundred 
and fifty persons were received into the church that 
year. 

At the expiration of his term of service in Lansing- 
burgh, he was appointed, in 1844, to Nassau, where ho 
spent two years. During his residence there, he was 
twice thrown from his carriage with great violence; in 
one instance the carriage was almost a total wreck, yet 



OLIVER EMERSON. 309 

he was but slightly injured. In February, 1846, he was 
first attacked witli that disease which was the bane of 
the last years of his life, an affection of the kidneys and 
bladder. 

His next appointment was at the Third street mission, 
in Troy. He was called to suffer, rather than do the 
will of God, during this year. Soon after receiving the 
appointment, his disease assumed an aggravated form. 
Physicians of various schools, at home and abroad, 
were consulted in vain. An attack of fever and ague, 
which lasted from September to December, added to hi& 
suffering. Meanwhile, his companion, gradually de- 
clining in health, followed her sister to the spirit land* 
In life, she had been a devoted Christian; in death, she 
was calmly triumphant. By this stroke, which occurred 
January 7th, 1847, Mr. Emerson was left in charge 
of two small boys, the youngest of whom was only four 
months old, and his own health and strength were pros- 
trated, with no prospect of their ever being restored. 
While at Third street, he organized the Congress street 
church, consisting of members from the State street 
charge. 

At the conference of June, 1847, he was compelled to 
take a superannuated relation. From that time to the 
close of his life, the writer knows but little of his his- 
tory, except that it was a scene of great and almost 
unremitting suffering. In 1848, his relation to the con- 
ference was changed to that of supernumerary, and he 
was appointed to Canajoharie. About this time, he 
formed a marriage alliance with Miss Ann Eliza Wil- 
liams, of the above-named place, in whom he found a 
most amiable and worthy companion. After having 
shared and mitigated his sufferings, as none but an 
affectionate and devoted wife could, she survives him, 



310 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

to cherish his memory, and rear his offspring for God 
and heaven. 

In 1849, he took an effective relation, and was sta- 
tioned at Schnylerville, and in 1850, was appointed to 
Grecnbush. A(ter liaving attempted to sen-e theclnirch 
in tliat relation, for two years, amid great and increas- 
ing bodily infirmities, he again entered the superannn- 
ated list in 1851, in whieh relation he continued until 
called to exchange worlds. 

The last few months of his life were spent in "Wal- 
lingford, Vt., where he supplied, as far as his strength 
permitted, two destitute congregations; one in"\Valliiig- 
ford, and the other in Danby, his native town. He 
delighted in the work of the ministry, and it was his, 
almost literally, to 

"Cease at once to work and live." 

On the last sabbath but one that he spent on earth, 
he preached twice, attended a funeral on Monday, ano- 
tlier on "Wednesday, and still another on Friday. From 
this last funeral he returned home on Saturday, com- 
pletely prostrated. On sabbath he was unable to leave 
his bed, and on the following Thursday, April 22, 1853, 
he found a happy and everlasting deliverance from the 
sufferings of mortality. He has been heard repeat- 
edly to say, that for seven years he had not known an 
hour of uninterrupted freedom from pain. During his 
last short sickness, he was able to converse but very 
little. He said enougli, however, to satisfy his friends 
that God was with him 



RICHARD GRIFFIN. 311 



EEV. KICHAED GRIFFIN. 

Comparatively little is known of the history of this 
young ambassador of Christ. He was born in the city 
of Dublin, Ireland; he experienced the pardoning mercy 
of God when about eighteen years of age, and made 
himself useful in his native country, as a sabbath school 
teacher, tract distributor, and local preacher. 

Believing it to be his duty to devote his life to the 
sacred calling, and learning that this country afforded 
an extensive field of usefulness, he emigrated to the 
United States; and in 1849 was received on probation 
by the Troy Conference. In due time, having acquitted 
himself honorably in the several examinations prescribed 
by the church, he graduated to deacon's, and subse- 
quently to elder's orders. 

Ballston, Luzerne, Fairhaven, Winooski and Pitts- 
ford circuits were the scenes of his labors. He died at 
East Pittsford, Vt., July 1, 1853, aged 30 years. 

He was unmarried, and the writer is not aware of his 
having any relatives this side of the w^aters that sepa- 
rate the old world from the new. Here, in a land of 
comparative strangers, to which he had come to preach 
the gospel of Christ, he found an early, lonely grave. 
No friend of his youth watched over him in his last 
sickness, or closed his eyes in death; but God was with 
him in his last conflict, and all was well. Of the home 
of his childhood and his early associations, nothing is 
known, save that a brother of his is a member of the 
Irish Wesleyan Conference. 

Rev. L. D. Sherwood, who was his colleague on Lu- 
zerne circuit, speaks of his labors having been condu- 
cive to a gracious revival on that charge. He repr • 



812 TROY CONFKRENCE MISCELLANY. 

Bcnts him, as do others who knew him, as a pious, con 
eistent, promising young man, and a good preacher 
Rev. D, VV. Duton, liis colleague on Pittsford circuit 
bears testimony to his worth and gives some account of 
the closing scene of his life. " His religion," he writes 
*• was a steady flame, that warmed as well as enlight 
ened. His sermons were always sensible and judicious 
frequently discovering much thought and reading, and 
were addressed to the heart and conscience. The sick 
ness that terminated his lift* was of short duration, and 
so severe as to prevent his leaving that transporting 
testimony wliich the departing Christian, under less 
acute suflering, is generally enabled to do. The writer 
had the privilege of visiting him almost every day. 
Generally, when I approached him, I found him engaged 
in prayer, and when interrogated about the state of his 
mind, he replied in strong terms, that Christ was pre- 
cious. At a subsequent period, he said, '* 0, I ihank 
God, I am happy!" His feelings overpowered him so 
that he could say no more. After this, his disorder was 
so violent, and his dissolution was approaching so ra- 
pidly, that my visits were useless to him, but they were 
not so to 7/26. About eleven days after he was taken ill, 
he closed his eyes to earthly scenes, to open them in 
heaven." 

There is something mournfully affecting in the thought 
of his being cut down so soon, and that too at a time 
when ** the harvest truly is great, but the laborers are 
few." We are reminded that God's thoughts arc not 
our thoughts, nor his ways our ways. 



DATUS ENSIGN. 313 



KEY. DATUS ENSIGN. 



BY REV. C. R. MORRIS. 



This aged and beloved brother was born in Westfield, 
Mass., October 16, 1783; and died in Halfmoon, Sara- 
toga county, N. Y., July 1st, 1853 in the 79th year of 
his age. From his early youth, he was the subject of 
religious impressions, and in his 17th year he was con- 
verted to God, and united with the M. E. church. He 
received license to preach in 1803, and was employed 
by Rev. D. Ostrander, presiding elder of New London 
district to travel on Ashburnham circuit. In 1804 he 
was admitted on trial in the New York Conference and 
appointed to Dutchess circuit. The next year he travel- 
ed Petersburgh circuit. In 1806 he was ordained dea- 
con by Bishop Asbiiry, and appointed to New Lebanon; 
in 1807 to Black River, and in 1808 he received elder's 
orders and was appointed to Albany circuit. Du- 
ring this year he was united in marriage to Miss 
Mary Winnegar, a person well fitted, by her piety and 
devotion to the cause of Christ, to share with him the 
trials and sacrifices of the itinerancy. Subsequently, 
he filled the following appointments, viz: Schenectady, 
Montgomery, Saratoga, Cambridge, Chatham, Pittsfield, 
Rhinebeck, Goshen, and Burlington. While on Goshen 
circuit, he experienced the blessing of perfect love. He 
felt it his duty as a faithful minister of Christ to preach 
on the subject of Christian holiness, and in so doing 
his own heart was moved to seek after it. After having 
earnestly sought this great salvation for some time, 
he was enabled, in the night season, while in bed, to lay 
hold on Christ by faith, as a full Savior, and he then 



314 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELI^\NY. 

obtained the witness that the *' blood of Christ cleansed 
him from all sin." He was so overwhelmed with a 
seuso of the riclies of grace, that he shouted aloud, and 
spent the remainder of the night in rejoicing and 
praising tlie Lord. In l.'^22, his hcaltli having failed, 
he took a superannuated relation, in which relation ho 
continued for five years. In 1827, he resumed the effect- 
ive work and traveled successively Berne and Saratoga 
circuit. In 1829, he was returned supernumerary, and 
located himself on a farm in Ilalfinoon, Saratoga county, 
N. Y., where he continued to reside until his death. 

Brother Ensign, as a preacher, possessed effective 
gifts. He was earnest and pathetic. He was much be- 
loved by the people whom he served, and his labors 
were usually crowned with success; revivals of the 
work of God were the common result ofliis ministry. The 
circuits he traveled were generally large, and the work 
very laborious; great sacrifices were required, and dif- 
ficulties oflen beset his path, but our departed brother 
was unflinching in his integrity, and with a heart un- 
daunted, he pursued the path of duty. Although ho 
was naturalh' somewhat timid and hesitating, yet grace 
enabled him to be bold and heroic in the Redeemer's 
cause. An interesting incident, somewhat setting forth 
the man, and the men of his time, may here be related. 
On one occasion when on his way to conference, he fell 
in company with several of his brethren in the ministry, 
pursuing the same journey. It was proposed that one 
of them should preach a sermon to the rest, as a profit- 
able method of spending a portion of their time while 
traveling. This duty was assigned to brother Ensign. 
During the time, they passed a man working by tho 
road-side, who, overhearing some passages of the ser- 
mon, was awakened, and afterward converted to God. 
Some years afterward, this gentleman learning who tho 



DATUS ENSIGN. 315 

preacher was, wrote to brother Ensign, stating the 
facts, and informing him that he was then an exhorter 
in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Thus, in this in- 
stance, seed cast by the way-side brought forth fruit. 

Brother Ensign was, in his external appearance, a 
very noble looking man. He was gentlemanly and 
kind in his behavior, and had a heart evidently formed 
for friendship. He was affectionate, courteous, and 
companionable , very fond of the society of his brethren 
in the ministry, and his modest and unassuming man- 
ners always rendered him agreeable. 

Perhaps in no respect does the character of our de- 
parted brother, appear to so great advantage as in the 
relation he held to his family. He was the father of 
twelve children, one of whom died in childhood, and 
another, an interesting and pious daughter was cut down 
in the spring-time of life. As the head of his household, 
in his government and order, his example in many re- 
spects is worthy of imitation. He had stated hours for 
family worship, and he strictly required all the family 
to be present. For many years, he had weekly family 
prayer meetings, on Friday and sabbath evenings, when 
it was expected that all present who professed religion 
would take part in the exercises. Under the parental 
roof were his children educated in the practice of vocal 
prayer and religious activity. His Christian counsels 
and good example, his kind and affectionate carriage 
towards his family, were well rewarded in the early 
conversion of all his surviving children. The intelli- 
gence, amiableness, piety, and filial love of the children, 
together with the affectionate, and condescending bear- 
ing of the parents, rendered his family one of more 
than ordinary interest to all who became acquainted 
with them. 

The health of brother Ensign had been evidently de- 



316 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

dining for a few years before liis death; but the proxi- 
mate cause of his death was a severe attack of dysentery, 
which soon wasted his little remaining strength. He 
suffered much, and in one week from the time of his 
attack he gently breathed his last. 

In the early part of his sickness, he was afflicted with 
delirium, and in the latter portion of the time, he was 
unable to articulate, wliich allowed but a brief oppor- 
tunity to his family and friends to learn the state of his 
mind in view of death; but he said enough to assure 
them that death was a conquered enemy. To his wid- 
owed daughter, who was almost constantly by his 
bedside, he said, upon her hiquiring the state of his 
mind, ** he could adopt the language of Bishop McKen- 
dree, and say, * all is well!' " on another occasion, when 
his companion asked him if Jesus was precious, he 
answered, " yes, he is precious, he is my all in all;" 
and on other occasions he expressed himself in language 
of similar import. 

His funeral was attended by a large assembly at the 
Methodist Episcopal Church in Mechanicville, on Sun- 
day morning, July 3d, where an appropriate sermon 
was preached by Rev. Tobias Spicer, on John xi, 11, 
followed by some remarks by Rev. Phincas Cook, and 
Rev. E. Chichester, who had been fellow laborers with 
him in his earb' ministry. His remains were then de- 
posited in the village cemetry, there to remain until the 
resurrection morn. 



PART THIRD. 



CONTRIBUTIONS BY LIVING MEMBERS OF THE 
TROY CONFERENCE. 



*' All are yours; whether Paul, or Appollos, or Cephas." 



26 



THE FIRST COMMANDMENT WITH PROMISE. 



BY REV. B. M. HALL. 



" Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long," 

This precept of the divine law begins, where charity 
is said to begin — "at home." It takes hold of the 
young intellect and affections, in order to give them a 
right direction and impulse. It begins at the fire-side, 
to form the mind, and impress the heart; as if all, in 
after life, would depend upon such early formations. 
And such, in general, is the case, as is shown by the 
great experiment. 

The family is the republic, into which the child is 
first introduced; it is the church, where, as a catechu- 
men, he receives his first ideas of religion. Here he 
begins his course of study, and preparation for his future 
active and responsible life. The parent is, at once, 
the school-master, the magistrate, and the minister of 
religion. 

Obedience is an essential part of ^nor in this relation. 
*' Tribute to whom tribute is due; honor to whom honor; 
fear to whom fear." The parent stands, for many years, 
in the place of God, to the child, and he must be 
obeyed. This is the Lord's own arrangement; and he 
imposes upon the child the duty of submission. Dis- 
obedience to parents is sin against God! But there is 
one limit; for while the parent is the law-giver, he is 
not, absolutely, the \a,w-maker to the child. He must 
give the law of God; but must take heed that he makes 
no law which shall conflict with it. He is rather the 



820 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

e.vpouncler and executor, than the legislator; and is 
imsL'lt", " under law to Christ." "Children, obey your 
parents in the Lord, for this is right." " Jn the Lord;** 
this is the rule ; and within this limit the child is bound 
by the strongest obligation to obey, and the Lord will 
punish the transgressors! The commands of the parent 
are then the commands of God, and are clothed with 
all the sanctions of the divinity. 

Respect and veneration are parts of the honor which 
should be shown to parents. It is dilficult to describe, 
in w.iling, these virtues; but they will find ready utter- 
ances in a thousand ways, when they are cherished in 
the soul. They often exhibit themselves in the cheer- 
fulness oi obedience, and again in its promptness. Some- 
times these virtues are seen in a cheerful yielding to the 
judgment of the parent, even when the desire sets in an 
opposite direction. On the other hand, what dishonor 
is shown when the child's own will, or pleasure, or 
opinion, is set in opposition to those of the parent; and 
only yielded after a war of words. 

Parents are honored by the love and gratitude of their 
children. These affections are necessary, in order to 
secure the obedience and respect which have been men- 
tioned. But there are other fruits which these choice 
vines will produce. They will secure sympathy in times 
of trouble and distress; and these will be continued 
through life; for their obligation uill not end with the 
child's minority. 

These alfections will exhibit themselves in eiforts to 
lighten any pecuniary burdens which may rest upon 
parents. Few parents are rich, because few persons are 
rich. The great majority must toil for support; and 
the child who keeps this divine law will delight to do 
all he can to aid in the general endeavor to secure all 
practical comforts with the least possible expense to the 



COMMANDMENT WITH PROMISE. 321 

house-hold. Those sons who claim the right to live in 
idleness, upon the produce of their father's toil, do him 
no honor, while they are a dishonor to themselves. 
Those daughters who exist only for purposes of plea- 
sure, and show, and simpering, while their mothers 
wear themselves away with drudging, are anything but 
an honor to such mothers. 

This principle will sec^ure the aid and support of pa- 
rents, when they become disabled, sick, or poor. How 
those children can, I will not say, honor their parents, 
but respect themselves, who cast off their father or 
mother, under such circumstances, is beyond knowledge! 
The work-house, or poor-house, has been the home of 
many in sickness or old age, whose sons and daughters 
are living in plenty or affluence. But, if such transfer 
their possessions to the third generation, a change will 
have come over the dealings of divine providence. 

I have read of one, who, in his prosperity, gave his 
aged and infirm father to understand that the alms- 
house was his proper place, although it was from that 
father, that he obtained his wealth. The old man 
tottered out, with aching heart, and tearful eyes, and 
sat down to weep in the chill blasts of autumn! There 
he was found by his little' grandson, who learned the 
cause of his'grandsire's grief, and was sent to the house 
for an old quilt, in which the shivering old man might 
wrap himself. That old quilt appears to be about the 
only thing which he is allowed to call his own ; it being 
the handy-work of his long-mourned companion. 

As the boy brings it from the chamber, he says to 
his father: " Cut this quilt in two; one half will do for 
grandpa, and you will want the other when you are old, 
and I shall drive you out to shiver in the cold, as he 
does now." 

The father is about to denounce a curse upon his son, 



322 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

if ho shall ever treat him thus! But that curse is sup- 
pressed by the recollection that he is the man who 
deserves it! His conscience is aroused; his ingratitude 
and guilt stand out before him; he repents, and " brings 
forth fruits meet for repentance." The aged father is 
brought in, cherished, comforted and nursed; and, after 
a few years of quiet, dies in peace in the arms of his 
repentant and dutiful son! 

If one is able to provide only scantily for himself, 
he can do no more for his parents ; but if able to clothe 
himself well, and furnish his table with delicacies; why 
should they wear the garments of poverty, and eat the 
bread of scarcity? How can the neglectors of these 
duties rest, while the law of God, in trumpet-tones, 
from the summit of the trembling mountain, says, 
*' Honor thy father and thy mother!" 

In a fair pecuniary view, such obligation is laid upon 
children to provide for their needy parents. Most fa- 
thers and mothers have had lives of toil and fatigue. 
And it is chiefly for their children that they have la- 
bored. Three hundred times in the year has your 
father returned from his daily labor, bowed down 
and weary — for you! And as often has he risen from 
his couch but half refreshed, to renew his exhausting 
toil! As often has your mother risen early, and toiled 
for her children! A thousand times, while you sweetly 
•lept, has she labored on until the late hours of night 
have witnessed her exhaustion; and olten her failing 
•trength, and declining health! 

Think of the years of your feebleness, more helpless 
than the little animals of other species! Who cared for 
and protected you then? Who provided food, and shel- 
ter, and safety? When painful or loathsome sickness 
made you its victim, who tended and nursed you back 
to life and health, carrying your sorrows, and bearing 



COMMANDMENT WITH PROMISE. 323 

your griefs ? Whose forms were those which hovered 
around you, like ministering angels, without sleep or 
rest, the long and weary night? These are but the out- 
ward and feeble expressions of that unutterable solici- 
tude, and undying affection, which were felt for you! 

Is it too much, that God, who has seen and appreciat- 
ed all these, should say, "Honor thy father and thy mo- 
ther?" Shall such friends be hurried into their graves 
by your rebellion or ingratitude ^ 0, where is the mur- 
derer so base as the fratricide, who thus takes the 
life of those who gave him being ? 

*'That thy days may be long.'' In the infidelity of 
modern times, men have come to doubt whether pros- 
perity or long life, are at all dependent upon an upright 
course of conduct. It is true, that this state or time 
is not one of retribution; and, therefore, it sometimes 
happens, that wicked men live long and prosper. "Judg- 
ment against an evil work is not executed speedily." 
"He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded 
us according to our iniquities." The redeeming plan 
comes in, and procures delay of wrath, in order to afiford 
opportunity for repentance and salvation. 

But there are two causes operating, which, in general, 
eecure long life to the obedient. The first is the direct 
action of God in providence. He delights to do good to 
such as "walk uprightly," and he has a thousand ways 
in which he can secure their welfare. ' ' He giveth his 
angels charge over them;" for they "are all ministering 
spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be 
heirs of salvation." 

If, then, the Omnipotent One undertakes to defend 
and deliver, ''why should it be thought a thing incred- 
ible," that he shall succeed? 

The second cause which tends to secure long life to 
those who "honor their parents," is seen in the fact, 



324 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

that obedience to this prece^jt lays the broad and solid 
foundation for all excellence. 

It is at home, iu life's young morning, that the seeds 
of character are planted and watered. Tliis one pre- 
cept involves lessons which are the rudiments of all 
virtuous learning; it involves principles which are the 
basis of all virtuous character; it involves duties which 
are the outlines of all virtuous action, and affections 
which lie at the threshold of the temple of piety. Let 
these lessons be well learned, and these principles be 
deeply implanted, and these duties become habitual, and 
these alfections entwine themselves around the fibers of 
the heart of a child, and he goes forth clad in a coat of 
mail, which the darts of hell can not penetrate, and with 
a capital inexhaustible, on which to commence business! 
It is not strange that persons should li\ e long, whose 
habits are thus fixed in all that is good, and who are 
thus fortified against all that is evil. Audit is general- 
ly the case, that such as are vicious, such as cut short 
their days by sensual indulgence and animal gratifica- 
tions, are those who lacked the right discipline in child- 
hoocl, and failed to learn subordination iu their youth. 
If Providence watches over and saves him who honors 
his parents, is it not reasonable to suppose it has frowns 
and scourges, for him who acts a contrary part ? If the 
ancient law of God required that he should be stoned to 
death, who cursed his father or his mother, is it not 
likely that some disfavor will be shown to such charac- 
ters now? If, in figurative language, it was said: ''The 
eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey 
his mother, the ravens shall pick it out, and the young 
eagles shall eat it;" will it not follow, that the change- 
less God will follow such an one with displeasure, and 
cut him off in the midst of his days? 

Some of the most beautiful things, which the fall has 



COMMANDMENT WITH PROMISE. 



325 



spared to gladden this sad world, are found in the rela- 
tion of parents and children, and are seen in love and 
honor toward parents, when expressed*in the actions of 
their offspring. 

If you would have glad remembrances when your pa- 
rents shall sleep in the dust, provide such comforts 
beforehand, by honoring them while they live. Let acts 
of filial piety be multiplied while they are demanded, 
and the recollection will be a legacy for the soul, which 
shall exceed in richness the dust that glitters ! 

But if you would prepare the way for remorse and 
dread, then disobey your parents while you are young, 
and neglect and despise them when you grow older. 
Let strangers minister to them in old age, and let no 
tear from your eye fall upon their new-made graves! 
This will secure the abhorrence of men, and the stings 
of conscience! This is the way to prepare your child- 
ren to treat you in the same manner, when their turn 
and yours shall come! This is the way to secure the 
penalty of the divine law, and fill with thorns, the pil- 
low for your dying head ! 

If the ghosts of the injured were ever permitted tore- 
turn, to haunt the guilty and disturb their slumbers, 
we may look for such visits from dishonored parents, 
to the couches of their wretched children. 

There are bright examples on record, which should 
find imitators while the world shall stand. We have 
heard of the duteous conduct of Washington toward 
his honored mother; and there is no page in his history, 
which reflects more honor on himself, than that which 
shows him turning aside from his march of glory, to pay 
his respects to his aged mother, and to weep in her 
embrace. 

Joseph never appeared to greater advantage, than on 
that thrilling occasion, when, after revealing himself to his 



326 TUOY CONFKRKNCE MISCELLANY. 

humbled and troubled brotlicrs, his filial piety breaks 
out in that expressive interrogatory, " Doth my Father 

YKT MVK?" 

But the example of one greater than all, shall be tho 
last. Turn your eye backward on the track of time, 
until it rests on Calvary. See tho victim on the cross. 
He is forsaken by his friends, betrayed by one disciple, 
and denied by another. He is crushed beneath the weight 
of a world's guilt, and even the Father hides his face. 
But, in that hour of dying agony, the sight of his mother, 
in her grief and desolation, affects his heart; and he 
consigns her, in the most tender and impressive manner, 
to the care of the beloved disciple, saying to the one, 
'' Behold thy mother,'' and to the other, *' Behold thy 
son.'' 

Follow these examples, and you will secure the re- 
spect of the good, the approbation of conscience, the 
blessings of parents, and the smiles of God. 



CHRISTIANITY AN ELEMENT OF CIVILIZATION. 



BY RKV. HIRAM DUNN. 



Looking at the world, we perceive a marked difference 
in the phases of human society. Whilst some in intel- 
ligence and culture are exaltedj to'heaven, othei*s, in 
their ignorance and degradation, are scarcely above the 
*' beasts that perish." Viewing man in these extreme 
states, we involuntarily enquire by what power is mind 
reached in its savage or barbarous condition, and raised 
to all the social and intellectual enjoyments of ci- 
vilized and refined society ? JIow does it break forth 
from its sordid selfishness and the control of brutal 



CHRISTIANITY AN ELEMENT OF CIVILIZATION. 327 

lusts ? If God made of one blood all the nations of the 
earth, why the vast difference now? We answer, 
Christianity is the ingredient in life's cup, which re- 
stores and elevates mind to the highest point of civil- 
ization; whilst every false system is poisonous to the 
intellect, as well as to the moral and social relations, 
Whenever any individuals, from a barbarous or half 
civilized state, soar above the common herd, and ex- 
hibit anything like true greatness, they first virtually 
leave their system of false religion. Indeed, before 
they can plume their wings for their lofty flight, they 
must break the cords which bind to a system so grovel- 
ing and sensual. 

We find nothing in the various systems of religion, 
with one exception, that elevates the mind or civilizes 
the man. From the worship of the *' Great Diana of 
the Ephesians *' to the obscene rites of the ''devil 
bush," there is not a system of idolatry but what lowers 
and degrades man, and enslaves the mind to the gross 
and sensual appetites of the flesh. We talk of the 
civilization of ancient Greece and Rome, the refinement 
and perfection of the fine arts, especially of Athens. 
There is much, to be sure, in the history of Greece and 
Rome, to admire, but their civilization was but com- 
parative. They were in advance of other nations, but 
their civilization was but painted barbarism, and the 
refinement of Athens would now be considered the 
grossest vulgarity. 

When we turn from idol worship to the religion of 
Mohammed, we find a system that never did and never 
can civilize man. The fire and sword by which this 
system has been promoted, have left no traces of civil- 
ization behind them, and their proffer of a sensual 
heaven has had no tendency to improve man's morals 
here. 



328 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

If u'C were to turn our attention to tlie difTtrent 
forms of government, wo should find tbem suited to 
different states in human society, but almost powerless 
ill creating that state. Hence, republican government 
can only exist in a civilized and enlightened community, 
and absolute monarchy is only suited to a savage or 
barbarous state. 

How can man be taught moral science until he knows 
what distinguishes vice from virtue? How can he un- 
derstand the stability of nature's laws without first 
knowing who formed those laws? And how can ho 
account for the great phenomena of nature itself, unless 
he first knows who spake matter into existence?. 
Finally, the power necessary to take the savage from 
his feast of human flesh, and clothe him in his right 
mind, and teach him to love his fellow man, is found no 
where but in the system of Christianty. That heart- 
changing, soul-puritying system, forms not only a neces- 
sary but indispensable element of civilization. Kduca- 
tion may follow the gospel of Christ, and be beneficial, 
but it can not go before it. Almost as well might you 
endeavor to point out the beauties of a landscape in 
midnight darkness, as to teach natural or moral science 
to the savage mind. First give them the light of God's 
revealed will. Let the sun of righteousness arise upon 
them; then it is an easy matter to educate. It was the 
power of the gospel that enabled a Brainard. with his 
Bible, to do more for the civilization of the Cherokces, 
in six months, than government, with a score of teach- 
ers and untold thousands of treasure, could accomplish 
in ten years. It was this power that found the canni- 
bals of the Sandwich Islands feeding on worms and 
human flesh, and sunk apj)ari-ntly to the level of brutes, 
and, putting beneath them its mighty energies, raised 
them, as in a day, to be quiet, peaceful citizens, com- 



CHRISTIANITY AN ELEMENT OF CIVILIZATION. 329 

paring favorably with the most enlightened nations on 
earth. Instances might be multiplied. To what do we 
owe our own civilization, but to Christianity. "Without 
this, we might have been at this hour in all the degrad- 
ing barbarism of our ancestors, the ancient Gauls and 
Britons. Compare a Christian's home with an Indian's 
wigwam; a New England village with a Caffrarian 
kraal. Look at our civil rights, our religious and' lite- 
rary institutions, towering as they do, above all other 
nations in the universe, and then thank God for the 
Gospel of Christ. 

Republicanism can not create civilization, and if 
established when such a state does not exist, it passes 
away like the morning dew. We can find no power in 
these various S3'stems and forms, to take mind in its 
unquarried state, and give it the polish of civilization. 
From education, generally and universally diffused, the 
world have been inclined to expect more; indeed, so 
much dependence has been placed upon it, -that worldly 
wisdom, or rather human folly, suggested the idea of 
•' first sending to the heathen the school master, and 
afterwards the gospel minister." We do not say that 
education can render no assistance in civilizing aworld» 
but we do say, that that alone would be a very slow 
process. 

27 



S30 TROY CONPEBENCE MISCELLANY. 



IMrORTANCE OF AN ELEVATED AIM. 



BY REV. HKNRY L. ST ARKS, A. M. 



Too many men live aimless. Tliey sit not down to de- 
termine to what their tastes and talents are adapted. 
They rather leave it to chance or impulse, to direct 
their course, and give them the proper subject for re- 
flection and pursuit. And even when these determine 
the point, they fix not their eye and heart upon it, nor 
energetically pursue it. Their efforts are spasms, their 
objects changing. Such conduct, in whatever depart- 
ment or profession of life, is almost necessarily attended 
with sinking below mediocrity, or entire failure. 

The agriculturist, who is thus undecided or vacillat- 
ing in seed time, like the sluggard, '* shall beg in 
harvest and have nothing." The scholar, who is utterly 
aimless or undecided, whatever other circumstances 
may favor, must fail of being a marked man in the 
world. And yet nowhere is this evil so dangerous and 
destructive as in the department of piety. And no- 
where is it more common. The soul's salvation may 
be the general desire, and the purpose to pursue the 
general path of piety, but unfortunately, a low state of 
religion seems to be all that is sought. And not a few 
are half their lives on their knees feeling for the line 
that divides the narrow road from the broad one. This 
is wrong, and as effectually prevents attaining excel- 
lence, and hinders usefulness, as any path that can be 
traveled. 

Behold that young man! All about him is adverse. 



AN ELEVATED AIM. 331 

He is poor, friendless, uneducated. lie desires to 
ascend the hill of science. lie places his mark high, and 
then starts for its attainment. Obstacles and difficult- 
ies multiply. Patiently he removes the one and sur- 
mounts the other. He reaches the ^oal. The run- 
away apprentice stands before kings. The blacksmith 
becomes the learned linguist. And so in religion. 
Once in awhile, one, influenced by the right spirit, re- 
solves to be more than a mere professor or common 
Christian. He turns his back upon the world, resolves 
to be a devoted man, and presses towards the mark. 
His step is steady. His progress is sometimes slow, 
and yet every wind wafts him on. Even his troubles 
and trials are stepping stones to higher elevation. His 
profiting appears to all. He grows in grace. He loves 
God with all his heart. He walks with God, and exhibits 
his communings with heaven in his intercourse with 
men. He leaves a favorable impression upon all around 
hira, and, dying, receives an abundant entrance into 
heaven. He has not lived in vain, nor has he labored 
for nought. He has accomplished life's greatest end, 
and lives near the throne at God's right hand in heaven. 



332 



TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 



THE TRAXSFKJUKATIOX. 



?}Y REV. BISHOP ISBEL. 



There is, perhaps, no passage in the evangelical his- 
tory more pleasingly interesting than that which gives 
an account of the transfiguration of Christ. Ilis most 
intimate and best-beloved disciples are chosen to bo 
witnesses of that glorious scene as a reward for their 
interest in their Lord and Master. Something is now 
to be shown them to animate their zeal and swell their 
hopes. Humble as was their former occupation, they 
had gained no earthly elevation, or reward, by attach- 
ing themselves to the world's Savior. That at times 
they might fear they had exchanged a true religion for 
a false one, and made sacrifices in vain, is natural for 
us to suppose. And Christ, knowing what is in man, 
saw fit to prepare his disciples for their future work by 
answering questions, which agitated their minds, both 
to the eye and the heart, in a most impressive manner. 
Behold them alone; Christ, the world's Redeemer, the 
impetuous Peter, the considerate James, and tlie meek 
and beloved John, on one of the lofty elevations of the 
sacred land, far above the din of a corrupt and bustling 
world. As these disciples gazed upon their Master in 
his garb of humility, what thoughts and misgivings may 
have been gathering in their minds; when lo ! his coun- 
tenance becomes radiant v.ith celestial light, and his 
vestments of earthly fabric blaze with heavenly splen- 
dor. Every trace of his earthly humiliation is lost 
amidst the brightness of his native glory. Ifere, then, 
is the teacher they have chosen, not in his assumed, but 
rightful garb. An important question is settled in a 



THE TRANSFIGURATION. 333 

most thrillingly interesting manner ; they have not lost 
but gained immensely by their attachment to Him who 
is known as Jesus of Nazareth. 

But if they have done gloriously, have they done right? 
The company increases. Two personages, invested 
with a glory like that which beams from the person of 
their Lord, appear, and enter into harmonious converse 
with him. They are Moses and Elijah, one the head of 
the sacrificial, and the other the head of the prophetic 
dispensation. They converse upon the great event of 
the world — the death of Christ. Moses had pointed to 
it with his typical finger, and the prophets had made it 
a theme of impassioned discourse and wrote its affecting 
history centuries before, and Christ was to -be the pass- 
ive actor in those scenes which they had portrayed in 
such striking colors. All was agreem.ent; not a point 
of difference was raised between the assembled heads 
of the great dispensations of light to a sin-shaded world. 
Cheer up, then, ye followers of the Jew-hated Nazarene, 
for you are no apostates; but, traveling along the illu- 
minated pathway of revelation, you are just immerging 
into the full beams of gospel day. But see ! there 
comes the Shekinah; the symbol of God's presence, 
about which you have heard and read so much in con- 
nection with the history of your fathers! You may 
expect now a communication which you may not forget. 
Hear that voice ! " This is my beloved son in whom I 
am well pleased !" There now, you have been led, by 
his discourses, fraught with the treasures of wisdom, 
and by the wondrous miracles which he has wrought, to 
embrace the Messiah; Moses and Elijah have come 
from the realms of light, and sitting beneath the out- 
beamings of his glory, reverently fraternize with him; 
and God, drawing nigh to you in the ancient type of 
His glorious majesty, has spoken to you distinctly and 



334 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

told you to bear him. The way of duty is clear before 
you, and there is no room fur farther doubt. 

Peter was quite beside himself, under the contempla- 
tion of the ravishing glories of his Lord and his two 
heavenly visitors, and it is no wonder that both he and 
his brother disciples were entirely overwhelmed with 
the awful glory of the speaking God. Emotions of 
fear mingled with the rapturous throbbings of their 
strangely excited hearts. There they lie amidst the 
glory that crowns the lofty solitude, made sacred by 
scenes such as had never transpired on earth before. 
It requires the familiar touch and voice of their 
divine Master to raise them up from under the over- 
powering ^^eight of glory that rested upon them. They 
had been favored with a view of the splendor and ma- 
jesty of their Lord, and abundant proof that he was the 
great Teacher, sent from God, who was to be heard. 
But this was not all. They were to be teachers like 
Moses and Elijah, and that the world would oppose 
them was clear. Very likely they must suffer martyr- 
dom, and, if that does not take place, die they must, 
and cease to have a visible existence here. Where will 
then the active thinking spirit be? Shut up in the 
loathsome grave with the corrupt body? Be dormant? 
Unconscious? No! They hafi just seen Moses and Eli- 
jah, one of whom had died, and the other disappeared 
centuries ago. They, certainly, were both living, whether 
both in heaven, or one in heaven, and the other in par- 
adise we may not know, but perhaps f A f]/ did ; at all 
events, they were having a conscious and glorious ex- 
istence at the time of the transfiguration. 

Here was something to cheer and animate the disci- 
ples in their subsequent struggles with the hosts of hell. 
And Ptter did remember " tlie excellent glory" in the 
mount, and the voice that spake to them from it when 



THE TRANSFIGURATION. 335 

he was sturdily doing battle under the eye of "the 
chief shepherd." He could well afford to die in the 
contest, as it was only exchanging an existence of less 
glory, for one of unspeakable splendor. It is true, the 
body must sojourn in the realms of corruption and dis- 
honor for a season, yet the triumphs of death are com- 
paratively short. The disciples saw this on the mount 
of transfiguration. They were made to understand, 
undoubtedly, that the transfigured body of Christ, was 
a full representation of the glorified body of man after 
the resurrection. It is very probable that they saw a 
complete parallel between the bodies of Christ and Elijah, 
andpei-hapshetween those of Moses and Christ. Whether 
the body of Moses, which could not be found,, was raised 
and taken to heaven, is what the scriptures do not tell 
us, and hence we can not know with certainty. But 
proof enough was given, in connection with the trans- 
figuration of Christ, of the glory of the resurrection 
body to satisfy them that though their bodies might be 
" sown in corruption," they would be "raised in incor- 
ruption," if " sown in dishonor," they would be " raised 
in glory." Hence, with this precious remembrance ever 
cheering their hopes, they counted not their lives dear 
unto them, while bearing forward the standard of the 
cross of Christ. They could well afford to lay down 
their lives in a good cause, if such a glorious life of 
body and spirit awaited them beyond the scene of strife. 
Such, we apprehend, were some of the lessons taught 
by the scenes of the transfiguration to the disciples, and, 
through them, to the world. 



336 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 



THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN. 



UY UKV. D. STARK6. 



Walthew xxvi, 30-i'j; Mark xiv, 23-42; Luke xxii, 39-16. 

The cup from which our Lord prayed to be de- 
livtMcd, if consistent with the will of liis Father — 
wliat was it? On tliis point conllicting opinions are 
entertained. Some have supposed that it was the death 
he was about to undergo, as the world*s Redeemer; the 
bruising of the Father. There is no view taken on the 
subject, wliich, to us, is more inconsistent tlian this. 
The atonement was perfectly voluntary on tlie part of 
Christ. Hear his hmguage, " I am the good shepherd, 
and know my sheep^ and am known of mine. As the 
Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father; and I 
lay down my life for the sheep." '* Greater love hath no 
man than this, that a man lay down his life for his 
friends." ''Therefore doth my Father love me, be- 
cause I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. 
■ I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take 
it again." Here is clear evidence that our Lord's 
death was entirely voluntary on his part. The idea 
that as he ncared the fearful hour, there were any mis- 
givings, is preposterous; it savors of blasphemy, A 
failure here would have been attended with the most 
serious consequences. ISIercy had marked all the divine 
dispensations to our world, from the time our first 
parents were driven from Kden's garden, till Christ 
stood in the garden of Gethsemane; and every mercy 
received had been communicated through the merits of 
him who was yet to sulfer. A failure, therefore, would 



THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN. 337 

have involved the divine government in inextricable 
difliculty. Again, Enoch, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, 
with thousands of others, were saved in Heaven, 
through the blood of atonement, then yet to be shed. 
Some of them, for centuries, had ranged the plains of 
undying delight and bliss; and now if the atonement 
failed, what was to become of this company? Yea 
more ; how was the government of God to be indemni- 
fied for what they had already enjoyed? A failure! 
There could be none. A thought of misgiving, could 
never have entered the mind of the incarnate Christ, in 
this lonely spot, at the foot of Olive's mount. All was 
jinn and decided there, on this point. 

Others have imagined this cup to be what they have 
denominated, "The attendant circumstances of his 
death, the cross of wood, the pui'ple robe, the crown of 
thorns; the soldier's spear, etc." These exhibit the 
malice and wickedness of the Jews and Romans, who 
clamored for his blood, but they Were all nothing in 
comparison to the deep anguish he realized, and endured 
as the world's Redeemer. " Surely, he hath borne our 
griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem 
him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." To sup- 
pose that these outward circumstances had so much 
influence on his mind, when they were nothing com- 
pared with what he suffered from the world's guilt, is 
irrational. Again, the fact that the cup did pass 
from him, clearly refutes this idea. This was actually 
the case, whatever that cup was. This is evident from 
the apostle's language: " Who in the days of his flesh, 
when he had offered up prayers and supplications with 
strong crying and tears, unto him that was able to save 
him from death, and was heard in that he feared." 
Hence it could neither have been what he suffered, as 



338 TROY CONFERKNCE MISCELLANY. 

our great IIit,'h Priest, or the attendant circumstances 
of his sulfe rings. 

In my opinion, this cup was an onset of the prince of 
darkness, in some form of temptation. "When the devil 
had terminated his temptations of our Savior in the 
wilderness, he departed from liim for a time. "AncJ 
when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed 
from him for a season." The next information we have 
of his approaching him, was near the time at which tho 
events narrated in the garden transpired. Near the 
conclusion of our Lord's last discourse to his disciples, 
he said, " Hereafter I will not talk much with you, for 
the prince of this world comcth, and liath nothing in 
me." This must have been the devil, for he alone has 
no part in Christ. In the garden, near the time when 
our Lord was to be betrayed into the hands of wicked 
men and sinners, Satan came; he understood the whole 
matter; it was under his influence that Judas was 
about to betray him; and it was at his instigation that 
the malice and hatred of the Jews were excited against 
him. He had moved them to crucify him. Still the 
devil knew that, by death, our Lord would achieve a 
victory over him, and his dark dominions. The only 
way to avoid this, was, to move him from virtue. 
Seizing this occasion, he makes his attack; the contest 
was fearful. Our Lord was in an agony, and exceeding 
sorrowful; " his sweat was, as it were, great drops of 
blood falling down to the ground," and in his agony, 
he prayed, saying, " Oh, my Father, if it be possible, 
let this cup pass from mc, nevertheless, not as I will, 
but as thou wilt." As much as to say, " If this cup is 
necessary to prepare mo to succor those who are 
tempted, let mo drink it; but if possible, and all neces- 
sary for rae to do, as mediator, be done, let it pass." 



THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN. 339 

He ** \v^s "heard in that he feared.'^ Whether the angel 
who strengthened him, put the prince of darkness to 
flight, or Almighty power directed him to retire, we 
can not say, hut he was vanquished. What the tempta- 
tion was we know not; it is not revealed, hence not 
necessary for us to know. 

Another reason for supposing this cup to be tempta- 
tion, is the reference made by the apostle to it, to 
encourage his Hebrew brethren in the hour of tempta- 
tion, * ' For, consider him that endured such contradiction 
of sinners, against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint 
in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, 
striving against sin." As much as to say, Christ re- 
sisted unto blood, striving against sin. Where did he 
do it, unless in the garden? It was in Gethsemane. 
Consider him, lest ye be weary and faint in your minds, 
in the midst of the temptations by which you are 
assailed. 

We have been accustomed to read the .tragical events 
narrated in the history of our Lord's visit to the gar- 
den, on the night of his betrayal and arrest, with feel- 
ings of a peculiar character. Our hearts have swelled 
with emotion, as we have contemplated the sufferings 
and agony of the benevolent Jesus. But we have viewed 
it only as a single item in the account, and as calculat- 
ed merely to move our sympathies. But, in the light 
contemplated, it aflfords us instruction and comfort. 
Well might the apostle exclaim, " For we have not a 
high priest which can not be touched with the feelings 
of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like 
as we are, and yet without sin." Infinite compassion 
viewed our exposed situation, and provided a Savior, 
just such as we need in every particular. One who can 
pardon the guilty; liberate the captive; cleanse the 
impure ; succor the tempted, and strengthen the feeble. 



349 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

Tlio humble, faithful Christian, has his temptations, 

and will, whilu he remains a probationer; and it is very 

possible he may have the most powerful ones near the 

termination of his pilgrimage. Our great adversary 

may see, when we stand out on the verge of time, that 

soon we shall be beyond the reach of his fiery darts, 

and make fearful onsets upon us. We may be in agony, 

and very sorrowful, but remember, our blessed Lord 

knows how to feel for us, and he will not suffer us to be 

tempted above that which we are ^ble to bear. If we 

attack hell, we must expect hell's rage. Our enemies 

are numerous and formidable ; they never slumber, nor 

sleep. 

" They fill the air, and <larken heaven, 
And rule this lower world." 

Oil, what encouragement the inspired direction affords 
us! *' Consider him that endured such contradi(5tion 
of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and 
faint in your minds." 



<■»•»» 



WAS THE RESURRECTION BODY OF CHRIST A 
SPIRITUAL AND GLORIFIED BODY f 



BY HEX. A. C. ROSE. 



I understand this question, as relating to the time that 
elapsed between the resurrection and the ascension of 
Christ. That is, was the body of Christ, after the re- 
surrection, and before the ascension, changed from its 
previous to a spiritual and glorified state, such as shall 
take place on the bodies of the living and the resurrected 
saints, at the time of the general resurrection? 

To answer this question correctly, it is necessary to 



THE RESURRECTION BODY OF CHRIST. 341 

examine the history of his manifestations to his disci- 
ples, during the time alhided to. I may previously re- 
mark, however, that it does not follow as a matter of 
course, that, because a body is raised by the power of 
God from the dead, it is therefore changed from mortal 
to immortal, nor from material to spiritual. This is not 
implied, either in the word itself, or in any of the in- 
stances of resurrection from the dead given in the 
Scriptures. I know it may be objected to this, that 
St. Paul says, "It'is raised a spiritual body." But I 
think a moment's reflection will convince us that, as he 
is speaking of the general resurrection, he includes with 
it the change that shall take place in connection with it. 
He certainly speaks of a change, as distinct from the 
resurrection, though connected with it. *' We shall not 
all sleep, but we shall all be changed." "Who shall 
c/wTige our vile body?" A resurrection, then, simply 
restores the body to its natural state, or the condition 
^n which it was previous to death. But as, at the gene- 
ral resurrection, the resurrection and the change will 
probably be simultaneous, so I think the apostle uses 
the terms interchangeably. The apparent reason for 
the immediate connection of this change with the resur- 
rection, is the immediate ascension of the saints to glory. 
Were this delayed, doubtless the change would also be 
delayed. But as they are immediately to ascend, to be 
'^ forever with the Lord," they must be adapted to their 
new abode. 

I answer this question, therefore, in the negative. 
With this view of it, let us examine the account of his 
appearance to his disciples, during the forty days be- 
tween his resurrection and ascension. 

The first account to which I shall refer, is the one in 
which the Savior, to convince his disciples fully that he 
was not an impostor, showed them his l^ands and his side. 
28 



342 TROY CONFKRKNCE MISCELLANY. 

The plain iiifLTcncc from tliis, and especially from bis 
words to Thomas, is, tliat his wounds had not been closed ; 
80 that whatever cbangc migbt have taken place in the 
body, the wounded parts remained in tbeirnatiiral state. 
For they are not represented nor intimated to have been 
scars, leaving simply the impression which the wounds 
had made, but they were open still. Thus, he says to 
Thomas, " reach liither thy hand, and thrust it into my 
side." And as it is declared that our bodies shall be 
like unto Christ's glorious body, and it being fair to pre- 
sume that a spiritual and glorified human body is freed 
from all deformity and imperfection, resulting from the 
influence of sin, so it may be presumed, that had Christ's 
body been in a glorified state, all traces of the wounds 
would have been removed; and thereby one essential 
means would have been destroyed for removing the doubts 
and fears of the disciples. The necessity of the case 
therefore, seems to imply tliat the body was not aglori-' 
fied and spiritual one. But does not the very idea of a 
spiritual and glorified body, imply that it is not only 
changed in its adaptation and nature, but that it is also 
removed from its present natural adaptations ? I think it 
does. But J will consider this question in the discus- 
sion of another fact, in the account of his manifestation 
to his disciples, viz: that of his eating with them. 

This is, to me, a strong argument that his body was 
yet in its natural state. And it is indeed such, unless 
we admit the Dacartic doctrine. And then the resur- 
rection was a phantasm, and the atonement wasaphan- 
ta<;m, and so was the ascension; and, in short, we have 
notliing but a phantasmagorical Cliristianity. But with 
us, I trust, thii? doctrine has no favor. If, then, his eat- 
ing with his disciples was not an illusion, it was an act, 
not only to convince his diseiples that it was not an ap- 
parition which they beheld, but one which indicated, 



THE RESURRECTION BODY OF CHRIST. 343 

also, that the body was yet under the influence of natural 
wants ; that it actually needed food ; that it hungered. 
For you will observe that he ate with them, after they 
hue 10 him. 

This argument may be strengthened, from the fact 
that the scriptures intimate that bodies in a spiritual 
and glorified state, " Shall neither hunger nor thirst any 
more.'' This will be, not merely because they are in 
heaven, but because of the essential change in their 
adaptations and nature, from natural to spiritual, from 
mortal to immortal, from earthly to heavenly. This is 
one among the many consolations afforded to the suffer- 
ing saint. He shall want no more. 

A third argument is drawn from the difference between 
his appearance, subsequent to his ascension, as described 
by " St. John, the divine." In his previous manifesta- 
tions to his disciples, there are no intimations of any 
remarkable and unusual appearance of splendor, either 
of person or features, else I think it would have been 
mentioned. I know that it is said they were affrighted, 
and thought he was a spirit. So they were before he v/as 
crucified. But this was not because of an unusual form, 
but from the circumstances under which he appeared to 
them. 

But when John saw him in the vision of Patmos, his 
body wore the appearance of a glorified and spiritual 
body; at least, the description answers to the idea we 
entertain of such a body. " He was girded about with 
a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were Avhite 
like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame 
of fire. And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they 
burned in a furnace, and his countenance was as the sun 
shineth in his strength." 

Such, also, are the intimations of scripture concern- 



344 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

ing the appearance of the glorified saints. " Then sliall 
the righteous shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of 
their Father." •* And they that be wise sliall shine as 
the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn 
many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever." 
But if Christ was gloritied before his ascension, why 
did not that glory manifest itself to the disciples?* It 
may be replied, that they could not have endured the 
vision. Be it so; this is a very good argument in favor 
of my position. 

Here let me call attention to another passage of scrip- 
ture, which, I think, may effectually settle the question, 
if it be not already so in our minds. " But this spake 
he of the spirit, which they that believed on him should 
receive; for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; be- 
cause that Jesus was not yet glorified.*' John vii., 39. 
The facts referred to here are apparent. There is 
evident allusion to the day of Pentecost. This was not 
till after the ascension of Christ. The Holy Ghost was 
to be given after Christ was glorified, not before. But 
the Holy Ghost was not given until after his ascension. 
Therefore, his body was not yet in its spiritual and glo- 
rified state. 

Farther argument in the discussion of this question, 
I deem unnecessary. Let me present, therefore, a few 
practical thoughts, that suggest themselves from the 
theme before us. 

How encouraging to tlic Christian is it, that such a 
change as the one reterred to shall yet take place in his 
own body! Corruption shall be forever laid off, and 
that which is incorruptible put on in its stead. All his 
deformity shall be changed for everlasting beauty. No 

• A« on the mount of transfiguration, ami to John, afterward, on 
the Isle of Patnios. 



THE RESURRECTION BODY OF CHRIST. 345 

more shall sickness blast, nor grief consume, nor anxious 
care. 

' "Death shall be banished, his sceptre be gone, 

Joyfully then shall he witness his doonti, 
Joyfully, joyfully, then shall he rest in his home." 

0, how the anticipation of this change inspires him 
with courage and joy in his weary pilgrimage below. 
Does he suffer? With this hope before him, he can tri- - 
umphantly sing. 

" My suffering time shall soon be o'er, 
Then shall I sigh and weep no more." 

Is he afflicted ? He shall be recompensed by the "far 
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 

Do death and the grave spread their aivful shadotos 
around him ? His confidence that this mighty change 
shall be wrought in him, gives him strength to exclaim, 
with all the composure and serenity of a conqueror, "0 
death, where is thy sting! grave, where is thy victory!" 

It is a thought, also, of great practical importance, 
that the wonderful scheme of redemption embraces the 
body, as well as the soul. 

The soul was debased, and polluted, and ruined, by 
sin; and such was the tenacity of its connection with 
the body, that it dragged the body with it down to 
death. Nor is its connection dissevered then; but both 
are held in awful abeyance to his terrific sceptre. Think 
we, then, that if a scheme of deliverance is efifected, 
that it will be but partial in its provisions, and sever 
that which neither death nor sin could divide? Nay, 
verily! But the uttermost Savior, is also an uttermost 
Redeemer. There is a " redemption of our body!" Its 
first fruits have been offered before God. "Christ has ris- 
en from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that 



346 TROT CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

■Icpt." Yea, in triumphant liopc the dying saint can 

■ing: 

"God, my Redeemer, liveg, 

And ever from the skies 
Looks down, and watches all my dust 
'Till he shall bid it rise." 

The soul, in its pristine state, stood forth in the glo- 
rious image of its great Original. To this glory it may 
be restored. And as the body, when in union with the 
soul, uncontaminated by sin, was immortal, so, when 
reunited to the redeemed and purified spirit, it shall be 
glorified. Its vileness shall forever disappear, and it 
shall wear the glory of heaven's own light. No longer 
encumbered with its present appetencies, nor subject to 
decay, but 

" Forever happy, and forever young," 

it shall be a fit habitation for the soul, amid the unend- 
ing joys, and increasing felicities of heaven. 



-«♦•»> 



THE YOUXG SUPERANNUATE.* 



BY RKV. Wir.LIAM FORD. 



He started while a youth: the rosy light 

Of twice ten summers scarce on him had shone, 

When, like an angel from the Empyrean bright, 
IriipoP.ed by one divine impulse alone, 

lie ventured forth, in grateful haste to o\m 
And glorify that sweet, celestial grace 

Which changed to flesh his own proud heart of stone, 
To show the contrite Jesus' smiling face. 
And preach the gospel tidings to our sinful race. 

• This subject was selected by special request. — s. p. 



THE YOUNG SUPEHANNUATE. 



347 



He sought the fallen : and each holy day- 
Poured forth his message o'er the listening throng: 

A light from heaven illumed his humble way, 

His days were crowned with peace, his nights with song*, 

And 'midst the cares which to his work belong — 
The burdens, toils, the trials, hopes and fears 

Which none with him can share, — his soul is strong; 
His Master's promise echoes in his ears, 
And faith and burning love atone for lack of years. 

The Lord was with him, giving to his speech 

Of heavenly mould an eloquence divine; — 
A power the conscience most debased to reach, — 

A light around the darkest soul to shine. 
His was the skill distinctly to define 

With logical precision what he taught ; — 
To read the spirit in each outward sign; 

With heavenly wisdom all his themes were fraught, 

And hence to Jesus' cross a multitude was brought. 

Some heard delighted what he said or sung 

(For Truth finds favor with each upright mind), 
But so7ne^ who heard, with conscious guilt were stung; 

So eyes diseased e'en sunlight painful find. 
As when the skillful surgeon gives the blind 

The power again to view the landscape bright, 
Rejoices, grateful thus to bless his kind, 

So he, exultant in the Spirit's might. 

Rejoiced to spread the glorious beams of Gospel light. 

Just as the morn, which kisses first the East, 

Progresses till full-orbed we have the day; 
So through his labors God his church increased — 

E'en those who heard to scoff were taught to pray. 
'Mong the souls thus turned from error's way, 

Right early some the ministry had sought: 
These, like the star which led where Jesus lay 
The pilgrim Magi who Messiah sought. 

Full many a sinful wanderer to the Savior brought. 

Through grace he counted worldly good but dross; 

And 'midst these scenes of honor and success, 
Hung all his laurels on the bleeding cross; 

No toil his buoyant spirits could depress. 



348 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

But while he labored thus mankind to bless 
Distase fell on him with its fearful blight, — 

A dn'iid, unlocked for source of keen distress, — 
A fearful blast whith undermined his might, 
Whilst clouds of doubt and darkness settled on his sight. 

It came not sudden, like the eartliquake^s tread. 
Or like the |)estilence with 'whelming stroke, 

To demonstrate at once its victim dead; — 
But as the lijjhlrung rives the living: oak 

And leaves it standing, leafless, creaking, broke, 
Scathed and unsiifhtly, moaning to decay — 

So fell the blow on him ; and thus he spoke. 
As anguish deep impelled his heart to pray, 
Now driven to seek for light in Heaven's appointed way. 

'' Almijjhty God, I know thy ways are just, 

When thou dost lift the hunible up on high, — 
And when thou bringest loftiness to dust, — 

Or mak'st thine enemies with terror fly; — 
But then, my God and Savior, why, O! why, 

If thou didst call me to proclaim thy truth, 
Must I thus early be from work laid by? 

To linger like some wounded, moaning bird, 

Or, like the stricken deer, which, bleeding, leaves the herd!" 

'• I see the fields all for the harvest ripe, 

The golden grain, i-ich laden, bending low; 
And must I feel, O God, the iron gripe 

Of living fetters round my ancles grow? 
Whilst joyful reapers to their triumphs go, 

And gather in their sheaves rejoicingly. 
Must I lie useless like a broken bow? 

Must I no more Truth's mighty battles see, 

But to myself henceforth a crushing burden be' 

** I know the world has ample good in store 

For those its treasures diligently seek 
But what to me is gold or fanu»/ No more 

Than dancing meteors, whi'-h the selfuh seek. 
As means to make them blessed. The spirit, meek 

And heavenly in its tendency and thought, 
Feels not attracted by a force so weak 



THE YOUNG SUPERANNUATE. 

Much less can he, who views mankind as hought 

By Christ, that all might be to God's salvation brought. 

*' On me the knowledge of thy will bestow; 

I tremble lest I grieve the Holy Ghost. 
Shall I to reap thy vineyard halting go, 

And, like some hero, perish at my post? 
Thus young to die and join the heavenly host 

Who fell, like Fisk and Summerfield, were sweet; 
But would such death subserve thy glory most? 

Or wait and suffer were this course more meet? 

My soul, distressed, implores this knowledge at thy feet." 

While thus he bowed beneath the chastening stroke 
And sought to know his Master's chosen way, 

A light celestial o'er his vision broke 

And on his pathway poured the beams of day. 

" Wait, child, and suffer," Jesus seemed to say, 
" My choice for thee and for my church is best." 

He heard ; and as the watcher hails the ray 
That heralds morn's approach, serenely blest, 
He praised the Lord, and said, " Amen^ "'tis thy behest. ^^ 

He ceased, and as the strife by winds and billows waged, 

On Galilee obeyed the Master's will, 
The spirit storm which in his bosom raged. 

Obeyed the same omnific " Peace, be still." 
As quick as at Niagara one could fill 

His cup with sparkling water, all his soul 
Did with a joy serene, unearthly thrill ; 

And, as the dews of grace upon him stole 

Once more he vowed to strive to gain the heavenly goed. 

Hope sits enthroned upon his placid brow-, 
Peace sways her sceptre o'er his stricken heart; 

He hears the shouting of the captains now, 
And in the conflict fain would bear a part: 

But Satan, though he plies his magic art 

To lead astray, nor yet the trump, which sounds 

The battle charge, and still his pulses start, 
Can lead him to o'erstep his chosen bounds. 
Contented, like the sentinel, to pace his rounds. 



349 



350 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 



Till: CHRISTIAN PROFESSIOxN. 



BY REV. W. A. MILLER. 



A religious life, both at its commencement and in its 
progress, is ever attended with more or less dijjiculty. 

It will, for instance, always be contrary to our na- 
tural inclinations, and ever be accompanied with self- 
denial. The prcciscness of its regimen can never be 
relaxed; the uncompromising character of its virtues 
can never be surrendered. Its *' gate " will always be 
"straight," and its "way narrow." Only the "hun- 
gry" will ever be "filled," while the "proud" must 
always be " sent empty away." 

The fundamental law, "ye must be born again," 
announced even to a master in Israel, has never been 
repealed, while a broken and a contrite heart are still 
the only acceptable sacrifice. 

And although the fires of persecution may slumber, 
and the civil arm be raised in the defence instead of the 
extirpation of the Christian professor, still, it is not 
without its perils. The antagonists of the Christian, if 
not as palpable as formerly, are, consequently, more 
insidious, numerous, and diihcult to oppose. They 
may be found in our own hearts, where our judgment is 
less scrutinizing, and more partial, or among our 
associates, who may be our kindred, benefactors, or 
superiors. 

Our enemies may sometimes approach us with the 
charms of novelty — in the garb of a fascinating literature, 
or in the bold pretensions of a false philosophy. They 
may come in the name of benevolence or philanthropy, 
while, both in spirit and in principles, they subvert the 



FAMILIAR ASSOCIATES. ^51 

very foundation of Christianity itself. Even the sem- 
blance to religion which the world assumes, endanger 
the Christian profession. That it does not oppose, that 
it is friendly, will make it the more difficult to expose 
its errors, reprove its wickedness, or withstand its 
seductive influences. How many are drawn from their 
steadfastness who never could have been driven, and 
have given their suffrages for irreligion, from its ap- 
parent resemblance to virtue! 

Never were discrimination and decision more import- 
ant, or moral heroism in greater demand, than now. 
Never was the Christian life more a warfare, a i-ace, or 
a struggle, than at present, for never was it more ex- 
posed to those things which tend to enervate and sup- 
plant it. 



THE IiNFLUENCE OF FAMILIAR ASSOCIATES- 



BY REV. L. POTTER. 



That the creatures of God in this world are strongly 
inclined, in a great variety of cases, to partake of the 
nature and quality, character and habits, of their asso- 
ciates is a well known fact. 

Steel brought in contact with the load-stone, partakes 
of its magnetic power. Thus by a variety of syntheti- 
cal operations, the nature of many minerals may be 
changed, as is clearly demonstrated in the science of 
chemistry. 

Vegetables, growing in contiguity with other vegeta- 
bles, often change their quality. Therefore the skillful 
agriculturist takes special care, in planting and sowing 



352 



TROY CONFKREXCE MISCKLLANY. 



his fields, to keep certain plants and grains, of different 
kinds and qualitiis, at a suitable distance from each 
otiier, lest he should suffer loss, by an unprofitable 
mixture. 

Animals by being caged, penned, or herded together, 
often partake of each other's tempers and habits. Do- 
mestic animals often partake largely of the temper of 
their musters, hence we frequently see in the old house- 
dog, an exhibition of the general disposition of the fam- 
ily to which he belongs, and in the horse, the disposition 
of the man by wliom he was reared. 

This tendency which is so clearly exhibited in the 
mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdoms, is also strikingly 
developed in human society. 

All men are influenced in their character and habits, 
to a greater or less extent, by the example of their fa- 
miliar associates. "It is the province of example to 
govern modes of dress, modes of living, and modes of 
diversion. Example commands the French always to 
change, and forbids the Spaniards ever to alter their 
dress; both are equally obedient.*' 

The old proverb that "birds of a feather flock to* 
gether," is not only true, but it is also true that birds 
which flock together become of one feather. 

The multitudes that flock to this country from for- 
eign nations, retain their language, peculiar customs 
and habits for a time, but in a ii:\v years they become 
conformed to our customs, and often by the second or 
third generation their peculiarities disappear. 

Changes of a moral nature are made at the same time, 
which sho\\\i\ most deeply interest us, because they eflect 
our destiny for ueal or woe, in this world, and the world 
to come. It is to be feared that comparatively fvw re- 
alize to what extent our youth are influenced by their 
associates in the formation of their moral character. 



FAMILIAR ASSOCIATES. 353 

One vicious yoimg man, of prepossessing appearance, 
and fascinating manners, especially if he belongs to a 
wealthy and influential family, is more dangerous in 
community than the cholera in its worst forms; for 
that scourge of nations can only destroy the body, where- 
as he infects the souls of his victims with a disease that 
will cause them to feel the pains of the second death. 

The only safe course, for young and old, is never to 
be familiar with such characters. If they are persons 
of wealth and fashion, that makes them the more danger- 
ous. The language of divine inspiration is, ^' Enter not 
into the path of the wicked, and go not in the tvay of evil 
men. Avoid it, turn from it, and pass away.'' (Prov. 
xiv,*15.) 

Even adult Christians are cautioned to beware, lest 
they be led away with the error of the wicked and fall 
from their own steadfastness. (2 Peter, iii, 17.) 

We are not to abandon society and live in seclusion. 
Such a course would not glorify God. He has given 
us power to influence others, and we should ever exert 
that influence to reform and save our fellow beings from 
sin and ruin. 

Our Lord visited publicans and sinners, as the phy- 
sician visits the sick. To make sacrifices, in doing 
good, is well pleasing to God. (Heb. xiii, 16.) We 
thereby become associated with the blessed Jesus in a 
great and glorious work; and as we contemplate his 
perfections, beholding the glory of the Lord, by divine 
Influence, we are changed into the same image from 
glory to glory. (2 Cor., iii, 18.) 
29 



W4 TROY CONFERENCE MISCEIXANT. 



ON^VARD! UPWARD! 



BY REV. A. JOHNSON. 



Press onward ! upward! O my soul ! 
Fix faith's strong eye upon the goal; 
And tremble not, though all is dark, 
And waves are dashing o'er thy bark; 
Though night and storms, arc round ihee here, 
The break of day will soon appear. 

Press onward! upward! toward the skies, 
"With eager steps, to gain the prize: 
If clouds and storms shut out the day, 
And darker still bcccmes the way, 
O let this thought thy bosom cheer. 
The break of day will soon appear. 

Press onward! upward! urge the strife 
For glory, and immortal life; 
Though strong may be thy hellish foes. 
And few the moments for repose. 
And faint thy heart, and great thy fear, 
Look up! the day will soon appear. 

Press onward! upward! hold thy way, 
Through darkest night, when not a ray 
Breaks through the cloud to cheer thy gaze. 
And light thee through the fearful niaze, 
Though all thy path is dark and drear, 
The ddwning day will soon appear. 

Press onward! U]<wardl never rest 
Until, among the pure and blest. 
At life's ambrosial fount, you drink 
Pure nectar from its flowing brink. 
And sing, through one eternal year. 
Nor night, nor tin, can enter here. 



3 



PARENTAL PIETY AND FAMILY GOVERNMENT*. 355 



THE IMPORTANCE OF PARENTAL PIETY TO 
SUCCESSFUL FAMILY GOVERNMENT. 



BY REV. M. WITHERILL. 



Piety, in its common acceptation, is nearly synony- 
mous with true religion ; a pious person, therefore, is one 
who *' fears God and keeps his commandments." 

The object of this article, is to show, that true piety 
is an essential aid in parental government. It is not as- 
serted -that no parent without piety can have an orderly 
and quiet household, nor that all pious parents govern 
well their families; but that piety is an important 
aid in this difficult and momentous work. And that 
this is ti'ue will appear from several considerations. 

In the first place, he who is truly and deeply pious, 
will be able to govern himself. It is an axiom in the 
science of government, that he who can not govern him- 
self is not fit to govern others ; and we are taught by 
inspiration, that " he w^ho ruleth his own spirit is 
better than he that taketh a city." But however diffi- 
cult may be the attainment of self-government, the 
Christian finds the grace of God sufficient. Children, 
like adults, are possessed of the carnal mind; they are 
often thoughtless and wayward, and do that which is 
well calculated to vex the parent and excite his pas- 
sions. Self-government will enable him at all times 
and under all circumstances to be calm, and act with 
prudence and discretion. It will enable him, when duty, 
and the good of the child require it, to use the rod; al- 
though a false sympathy would plead " spare the child." 
And it will enable him to use this means of correction 
within the limits of justice and propriety. If the rod 
be spared when it should be used, or if it be used when 



356 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

it should not be, or to an extent not strictly required; 
the child is rendered more perverse, instead of being re- 
formed. If the child sec the parent calm and collected 
under provocation, if he see him actuated by a sense of 
duty and not by passion or caprice, he will profit both 
by the parent's example and the chastisement. Actions 
speak louder than words, or even the rod itself. A 
good example, placed before a child, will produce deeper, 
and more lasting impressions on his mind than a hun- 
dred stripes on his back. The parent is the first book 
studied by the cliild, and every look, word and action, is 
a lesson from this book, and a copy for imitation. He, 
then, who would govern well his household, must gov- 
ern himself, must hold the rein with a steady hand, and 
earnestly pray for wisdom and grace to help in time of 
need. Let no parent forget that in this, as in every other 
good work, his "sufliciency is of God." 

Again, the pious parent feels, as no other can, the 
weight of responsibility attached to this peculiar re- 
lation. Men are moved to action by motives; and 
their efforts, for the accomplishment of their purposes, 
are graduated by the magnitude of the motives in view 
of which they act. The motives brought to bear on 
the mind of him, who is not a Christian, are limited to 
time. They have respect only to the narrow limits of 
the present life. lie would have his children respecta- 
ble, and respected in human society. He would have 
them rellect honor and not disgrace upon himself. For 
his own comfort and convenience, he would have a 
peaceable and quiet household. But beyond this he has 
no aspirations or sense of responsibility. Now while 
these motives have their due weight and place, in the 
Christian's mind, they are superadded to those which 
are of infinituly greater importance. His child is 
destined to inhabit ajiother world, and to exist eternally. 



PARENTAL PIETY AND FAMILY GOVERNMENT. 357 

This state is one of trial and discipline; that of rewards 
and punishments. He will become as an angel of light 
or a fiend of darkness, will be exalted or abased, happy 
or miserable, forever. The pious parent is confident, 
that every act or word of his will have a tendency to 
lead to one of these infinitely important results. And, 
that he is expressly commanded by the Father of spirits 
to " Train up his child in the way he should go." This 
injunction, he realizes, makes his responsibility as 
great as the authority of God can make it. He is 
aware that the training which the child receives, under 
the parental roof, will be likely to shape his eternal 
destiny, and that the slightest impression made on the 
mind in childhood, either good or evil, may deepen and 
expand, while the ages of eternity roll onward in their 

coui'se. 

" A pebble in the streamlet scant; 

Has changed the course of many a river; 
A dew drop on the baby pla nt 

Has warped the giant oak forever." 

The pious parent has motives placed before his view, 
high as the highest heaven, deep as the lowest hell, and 
enduring as eternity. Who then so likely as he, to 
maintain correct family government? 

Again, the Christian parent will be able to bring to 
bear, on the mind of his dhild, the most powerful motives 
and the strongest influences; motives to which an ir- 
religious parent can not consistently appeal; and influ- 
ences which he will not seek to bring to bear upon his 
family. The Christian can appeal to the authority of 
God, the penalty of the divine law, the love of God, as 
exhibited through Jesus Christ, and the dispensations 
of Providence. Children may be controlled, to some 
extent, and for a season, by the fear of the rod, by re- 
spect for their parents, and by seZ/ respect. But alas! 
how often do all these fail to secure the desired object! 



858 TROY CDNFERtNCt MISCELLANY. 

Children should be told that God is the author of their 
beinpf, the universal law-giver, and judge of all men; 
that he is the father of tlieir spirits, and redeemer of 
their souls; that if they obey God and honor their 
parents, they shall have an exalted and eternal reward 
in the life to eome; but if disobedient and unbelieving, 
the}* will be " banished from the presence of God and 
the glory of his power." Let these, and kindred truths, 
be proclaimed by the parent, in tlie ears of his children, 
with a countenance and tone of voice which bespeak 
the fear of God and love to the child, and they can sel- 
dom fail to produce salutary elTects. 

But if all these appeals and efforts should fail, he 
has one more important source of aid. He can enlist, 
in this work, the powerful agency of the Holy Spirit. 
That the Spirit of God can exert an influence beyond 
the power of human instrumentalities, no one who be- 
lieves in the Bible can doubt. And this Spirit is, in all 
his offices and influences, freely promised, not only for 
the personal benefit of him who asks, but also in behalf 
of others. " The promise is unto you and to your 
children." Let the parent then who fears God, rely 
with confidence on the aid of his Spirit, let him not 
trust in his own wisdom or skill, but in tlie living 
God. "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in 
Tain that build it." 

Is it not thin clearly evident from the thoughts hero 
presented that true piety, in a parent, is an essential 
aid to family government. And if so, what parent will 
be so recreant to his high and holy trust, as to neglect 
to cultivate, deep, ardent and uniform, personal piety? 
May all, for whose benefit these thouglits are presented, 
look to him for aid, with whom is the residue of the 
Spirit, that in the great day, their children may rise 
up and call thera blessed. I will conclude this article 



I 



DEATH WITHOUT A REVELATION. 359 

with an extract from a late author, on the subject of 
parental responsibility. " ye who are entrusted with 
the care of immortal souls! consider your charge, with 
fear and trembling. Should your children, in the day 
of eternity, rise up and allege that though you bore 
the Christian name, you were so far from comporting 
with that sacred character, that your profession was 
the greatest obstacle to their embracing religion; that 
your tempers and conduct were so contradictory to the 
spirit which the gospel enjoins, that taking you for an 
example they could not admit its pretended excellencies; 
that yonr indulgences had strengthened all the innate 
corruptions of their hearts; that your lack of seasona- 
ble and proper correction and instruction had smoothed 
the way to the pursuit of carnal pleasures, and the com- 
mission of sin without fear. Though your name might 
have stood enrolled on the list of every Missionary and 
Bible Society in the land and you have had the applause 
of doing more in various ways than most Christians, 
will you not be found guilty of neglecting your most im- 
portant duties, and be condemned not only as the abettors 
hut as the authors of your children's ruin.*' 



DEATH, WITHOUT THE LIGHT OF KEYELATION. 

BY REV. JAMES M. EDGERTON. 



If it were possible for us to divest ourselves of the 
knowledge and forms of thought which we are pos- 
sessed of, and are familiar with, from the influence and 
light of revelation, we should realize in a much higher 
degree, how much of relief from the terror and gloom 
of death, is derived from the inspired word. 



360 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

The volume of truth has not failed to present this 
point to us, and wo find the wise man, in the book of 
Ecclcsiastes, has, so far as language can convey it, 
given us the picture of death without God. 

*' For the living know that they shall die, but the dead 
know not anything; neither have they any more a re- 
ward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their 
love, and their hate, and their envy, is perished; neither 
have they any more a portion forever, of anything that 
is done under the sun." 

Viewing death thus, the world is but a charnel house. 
Wherever the living live, there are the dead; and as 
the dead are, so will be the living. The air smells of 
the grave. The yellow leaves that rustle in the fitful 
breeze, speak of death. The autumn winds that sigh 
in mournful gusts through seared leaves and leafless 
branches, bear in their sighs the melancholy burden, 
death. 

The cold grey sky, the straggling sunshine, the deep- 
ened shadows, the brief twilight, the starless night, 
speak in their silence, death. 

The tender flowers, so lately springing, so closely 
watched, so sweetly blooming, so rich in fragrance; 
touched by the finger of the destroyer, drooped and 
died; their fragrance gone, their beauty lost, prostrate, 
they murmur, death. 

How fresh the glossy leaf bursts from the swelling 
bud; how sweet the breeze that floated in the dewy 
spring; what life and hope were borne upon the health- 
ful winds; how deeply blue the sky, how gay the glad- 
dening sunbeams, how light the floating clouds, bow 
fresh the twilight deepening into star gemmed night; so 
late, how bright and fair, the rose, the aster, and the 
eglantine. Yet each, the leaf, the breeze, the gale, the 



DEATH WITHOUT A REVELATION. 361 

sky, the sun, the cloud, the night, the flowers, all, all 

say DEATH. 

Death is everywhere. And "the living know that 
they must die. A part of the life of the living it is, to 
know that they must die. Knowledge unheeded, but 
knowledge still. In the secret core of the heart is the 
knowledge hid. Covered up with the glittering tinsel 
of worldly love and hope, and hate, and envy; hidden 
beneath pride and ambition and earthly desires ; envel- 
oped in rioting, excesses, gratified passion, revenge and 
lust; covered, hidden, enveloped, but knowledge still, 
for the living knoio that they shall die. Amid the busy 
cares, the sinful pleasures, the anxious desires, the 
guilty passions, the vehement ambitions; the knowledge 
will unveil itself, it will speak, it will utter forth — death. 

Whether amid the crowd, or alone on the pathless 
waters ; whether waking to the realities of brief life, or 
sleeping amid its dreams; whether early or late, in 
sorrow or in joy, the knowledge is ever present. Oh! 
hateful knowledge, how gladly would we escape it. 
Death, death. To die, to go out. To cease to act, to 
think, to speak, to enjoy. To sj;op. To decay. To 
feed the worms. To disappear. To lose the knoivledge 
of life, and of death, "for the dead know not any 
thing !" 

Oh must we die? These busy thoughts, this reason, 
this close perception, these eyes, these ears, this love, 
this hate, this store of dearly-bought knowledge, this 
longing for life, this eager thirst for happiness, must all 
these die? This youth, these quick limbs, this intense 
appreciation of enjoyment, this high health, these full 
hopes. Must these die. Must I die? Oh God! 

" The living know that they shall^die, and the dead 
know not anything!'' " Oh death what art thou?" and 
echoless and unanswered the question falls upon the 



362 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

gaping tomb. Earth answers not, for death hath 
sealed her lip. The stars are silent. All nature tells 
of death, but solves not the mystery of its being. 

" For the living know that they shall die, and the 
dead know not anything, neither have they any more a 
reward," for death seals up the spring of aetion. 

No hope of reward in the grave. *'For the tree is 
felled and boughed and bare, and the measurer standeth 
with liis line; the ehance is gone forever. The testi- 
mony is all rendered, the trial is over, the jury are gone 
in, and none can now be heard." " There is no work, 
nor device, nor knowlege, nor wisdom in the grave.** 
No hope of success in toil, or sacrifice; no high ambi- 
tion lures. There is no reward. Oh death thou art 
terrible, '* for the memory of them is forgotten." 

Oh ye living, standing on the enchanted ground of 
earthly hope, toiling to perpetuate a name, climbing 
over tlie necks of men, and up the slippery clitf to cut 
your initials in the rock; why do you toil? 

Turn your eyes to the past; where are the wise, the 
great, the good! Where the scholar, the statesman, tho 
philanthropist? "The memory of them is forgotten,'* 
in the grave. Their Jiopes were high as yours, their 
deeds were miglitier; but the living of the past, are 
dead, and their memory is forgotten. A £cw names, 
linger recorded in the page of life, to tell the living the 
vanities of life; but only remembered as the silent page 
recalls them. Ask the aged, where tho friends of 
youtli ? Let him make tho elfort to recall them one by 
one, across the dim mirror of the past. Alas, ** the 
memory of them is forgotten." How soon the memory 
of the loved one passes away! How lately death 
reaped; how soon new loves, and hopes, and joys, drive 
out the memory of the dead! It needs the speaking 
marble, with date and age carved in, to tell us of their 



« 



DEATH WITHOUT A REVELATION. 363 

life and death. And but for the ghostly stones that 
coldly glitter in the moonbeams, their memory were 
gone forever. And so it will be with us, with you! 
However vain, or rich, or wise, or loved or hated, 
death will claim you ; the tomb will be sealed upon you, 
those that love you, will forget you; those arms that 
twine around you, those eyes that live in yours, those 
ears that drink in 'your voice, if you forget not their 
possessors in the grave,- they will soon forget you. 

Yes, I shall be forgotten! And then, and then, what 
to me the good or ill opinion of the world, " An hun- 
dred years hence?" Dead; knowledge dead; no re- 
ward; memory forgotten. Oh! how terrible is death. 

The love, that burned so brightly and beamed out so 
sunny, that love is perished. The heart that beat 
in sweet response to heart, throbbing with love, no 
longer beats; the love is perished. The love that made 
home happy, thatchecked the wayward, that called back 
the wanderer, that reclaimed the vicious, the father's 
love, the mother's love, the sister's love, the child's love, 
the friend's love, the home love, is perished! perished! 
And so will perish yours — yours and mine. No matter 
how tender, how clinging, however dear the oljject; 
death sets to his seal, the heart stops, and love perishes. 

And the dead hate not. There is no hate in the grave. 
There the strife is over. The fierce war of passion is 
done. The dead avenge not. The tumult is appeased. 
Hate becomes passive, innoxious. It may burn, and 
sear, and torture its object and possessor here, but in 
the grave it perishes. It may follow through life its 
object, " wreaking petty vengeance on the flesh," giv- 
ing its possessor the foul joy of gratified passion; it may 
carry its fierce desire into the future, and long to heap 
the cruel torturings through eternity; but in death, 
halt perishes. 



864 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

And the dead envy not. They number more than the 
living. Oh, vain man; your youth, your beauty, your 
wealth, your dress, the dead envy not. And you will 
soon be in the company of the dead, your memory for- 
gotten, your love, and hate, and envy perished, and 
none there to envy you. That finely moulded fonn, 
that expressive face, that tender flesh, will soon be no 
object for envy. The worms will gnaw and gnaw. 

Those laughing, careless eyes, contain already the 
crawling, greedy reptile, that will drink up their liquid 
light, and lick the polished sockets. The fleshlcss 
jaws, will ghastly grin in cruel mockery of your care- 
less smile. The sexton's spade will clatter on your 
bones, and some other *' food for worms " usurp your 
resting place. No room for envy in the dreary grave. 
And there love, and there hate, and there envy is per- 
ished. 

*• Neither have they any more a portion forever of 
any thing that is done under the sun." The dead have 
no portion here. 

The sun shines bright on hill and vale; the rain falls 
gently on waving grass and flowing river, the plough- 
man whistles cheerfully, the herds low, the flocks 
bleat, spring delights the sense, summer fills the heart 
with gladness, autumn yields her ample store, winter 
brings the glow of health and fireside joys; home is 
radiant with gladness, and hearts arc redolent of bliss; 
the forest is leveled, cities rise, fleets plough the deep; 
mighty armies meet, and melt away beneath the iron 
hail and leaden tempest; nations rise and fall, millions 
are free, and millions are enslaved; but in all this, the 
dead have no portion. "What to them, the sun, the rain, 
the flocks, the herds, the spring, the summer. What 
the home of love. What the woods, the city, the fleet; 
the contest of armies; the rise of empires, or the fall 



i 



DEATH WITHOUT A REVELATION. 365 

of kings; for ** neither have they any more a portion 
forever of anything that is done under the sun." 

Oh! "the living know that they shall die." No 
escape from death. No flying from death. Imprisoned 
here to earth, we must meet death. We may shriek, 
and howl, and rave against our prison bars, but no 
escape. We are bound to earth and death, as Ixion to 
the wheel. The knowledge of death, like the Prome- 
thean vulture, is fastened on our vitals. We ask in 
vain of death, what art thou? for the grave gives not 
back an echo. We ask the sun, the stars, the clouds, 
the leaves, the flowers, what is death? and have for 
answer, death. We search through earth, and air, and 
sea, and still meet, death. We ask the wisdom of the 
past, Socrates and Plato, what is death ? and yet the 
answer, death. We ask the monuments of time, the 
ruined cities of old, the pyramids of thousands of 
years, and still the same stern answer, death. We ask 
the infidel what is death? Confused and terrified, he 
can but mutter, death! We ask our hearts, and no re- 
sponse, but death. 

We know that we shall die; no light from nature, or 
from men, or from our hearts, save that amid the brief 
joys and sorrows of time, death launches us, rudder- 
less, compassless, companionlcss, into the sunless, star- 
less, pathless, fathomless, measureless, void of annihila- 
tion. 

And this is death, without the light of revelation! 



30 



I 



3fi6 TBOY CONTEBEKCE MISCEU.AlfT. 



COD I.\ INTERCOURSK WITH MAN. 



BY REV. BOSTWICK HAWLEY, A. M. 



God holds a gracious intercourse with man. IIo has 
done so from the beginning. With Adam, the repre- 
sentative of the race, he conversed face to face. To 
Enoch and Noali, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, he 
made direct and personal revelations. By his son Jesus 
Christ, and by liis universal Spirit, he enlightens 
*' every man that comctli into the world.*' 

Does man commune with his fellows? a father with 
bis child? and is it incredible that the infinitely intelli- 
gent Spirit, should make intelligible communications to 
man, bearing, even in ruins, evident traces of the divine 
spiritual image ? No, verily. 

The manner of this intercourse hds been various in 
different periods of the history of the church, and ac- 
cording to the progressive development of revealed truth. 
** God, who at sundry times and in divers manners, spake 
in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in 
these last days spoken unto us by his son.'' Though 
there has been a diversity as^to the manner of the di- 
vine intercourse with man, the matter of it has been 
essentially the same. The only diversity in the subject 
of revelation has consisted in a gradual development of 
the truth, in enlarging the prophetic view, and in mak- 
ing essential principles more cognizable and more 
practical. The revelation of divine truth to man has 
been effected through dispensations or covenants, varying 
according to the state, condition, and the preparedness 
of the age to receive and appreciate them. Referring 



GOD IN INTERCOURSE WITH MAN. 367 

back to the primitive intercourse of God with man, we 
find two covenants, one succeeding the other, very dif- 
ferent in character, though tending to a similar end ; 
the promotion and preservation of moral purity: a cov- 
enant of works, designed for man in his original purity 
and moral completeness; and a covenant of grace, sub- 
sequent to the fall, a shadow of the gospel, and called 
the patriarchal covenant. It is so designated because the 
patriarchs, both antediluvian and postdiluvian, lived 
under its provisions of grace. 

In the progress of the church, the covenant of grace 
underwent several changes, and was accordingly named 
Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Christian. The iVbrahamic is 
so called, because of^ the covenant of God with Abra- 
ham, the father of the faithful. The Mosaic, because 
Moses was the mediator of the covenant between God 
and the Israelites after their escape from Egyptian -op- 
pression. The Christian is so named because, being the 
realization of all that the former ones indicated and 
foreshadowed, Jesus Christ, the son of God is its ever- 
living mediator. 

In his letter to the Hebrews, the apostle compares 
the tw^o latter as media of divine communication with 
man, and shows the superior excellence of the Christian 
both in its purer character, larger compass of truth, 
and in its more ample and glorious provisions of mercy 
for man. He calls this the ''new'' in contradistinction 
from the Mosaic; and the'' better^'' because it is ac- 
companied with ample grace to enable sinners to comply 
with its world-wide provisions. 

The Hebrew word (berith) rendered covenant, is de- 
rived from another meaning to purify, and denotes a 
purification, or a purifying engagement; because, in all 
covenants between God and man, sin and sinfulness 
are impliedly predicated of man; and it is indicated that 



368 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

God can not enter into any gracious engagement with 
him, witliout a /;w///ier. In the gospel covenant, Christ 
is the Lamb shiin and atoning purifier. The gospel 
system is a purifying covenant, a inediuin of saving inter- 
course uitli man. 

A covenant implies a treaty between two parties. 
When the parties are equal as to character and position 
— are on equal footing — thty may counsel together, and 
recognize their mutual relations. When the character 
and relations are not ecjual, the superior may make 
conditional proposals, and the inferior by complying, 
may enjoy the advantages of them. In the new and 
better covenant of grace, as a medium of divine com- 
munion wuth man, the parties are wholly unequal, 
Man is sinful and a sinner. God is holy, and sinned 
against. Man is condemned, God the condemncr. Man 
is wretched and undone. God is the provider of mercy, 
and ready to forgive. Because of this infinite disparity, 
man of himself can do nothing, can make no proposals 
suitable to his condition, nor adapted to his relief. 
For the same reason, God, in the exuberance of his graco 
and infinitude of his love, has planned a way of escape, 
and earnestly calls upon man freely to accept pardon 
and salvation on certain necessary conditions — conditions 
arising from his moral agency and responsibility. To save 
man from sin, and to bring him into alliance and com- 
munion with himself, God has spared no efforts. " What 
could have been done more to my vineyard," says God, 
••• that I have not done in it." The covenant of salvation, 
as a medium of special divine intercourse with man, is 
'* full of grace and truth.'" 

''This is the covenant that I will make with the house 
of Israel, after those days, saith tlie Lord, / tcill put 
my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts; 
and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a 
people.'" In these words we have set forth the ways and 



GOD IN INTERCOURSE WITH MAN. 369 

means of God's intelligent intercommunion with man, 
and the consequent covenant-relations and duties. We 
see that God takes three things upon himself, and re- 
quires only one of man. Let us dwell briefly upon 
the terms of this covenant of grace. 

"/ 2viU put my laics into their mind.'' By this, I un- 
derstand God to say, that he will clearly make known 
to man his will, requisite to salvation ; that he will make 
the essential principles of his spiritual and moral gov- 
ernment clear to the intelligence and judgment, so that 
men may knov/ the divine pleasure, and their duty. He 
will influence them by law, truth and holiness, and en- 
lighten them in reference to the obligation of law, the value 
and agency of truth, and the beauty and importance of 
holiness. This eminently important work, God most 
certainly accomplishes : 

1. By the instructive influences of universal nature; 
by her laws and movements. "The heavens declare 
the glory of God, and the firmament shoiveth his handy 
work." "One day utter eth speech to another day, and 
night shotveth knoivledge unto night." Intelligible divine 
instructions are given continuously, from day to day, 
from night to night; so that " there is nohmnan speech 
nor language, where their voice of instruction is not 
heard." " Their line " of truth, or their doctrine, " is 
gone out through all the earth, and their tvords to the 
end of the world." The heavens are not voiceless; but 
thousand-tongued, making even the deaf to hear them. 
The earth is not a blank, but written all over by the 
finger of God, with instructive lessons. " The law of 
the Lord," one branch of which is traceable in the ma- 
terial and spiritual worlds, " is perfect, converting or 
restoring the soul." By these communications, even 
the heathen are a law among themselves. 

2. God puts his laws into the minds of men, makes 



370 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

them clear to the understanding, by llic world-wide in- 
fluences of his Spirit and grace. The Holy Spirit ''con- 
vinces the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judg- 
ment." " The grace of God, that bringeth salvation, 
hath appeared unto all men, teaching them," &c. As 
certainly as the morning breeze or the evening zephyr 
rustics every leaf of the forest, fans every flower of a 
wide-spread prairie, and fills every canvass on the wide, 
wide ocean, so certainly the Holy Spirit, the breath of 
God, touches, and sweetly influences every soul of man 
peopling the green earth. 

3. God accomplishes this spirit work by the silent 
and yet effective influences of general intelligence, gene- 
ral morals, and the prevalence of gospel truths. These 
pervade all Christian lands, and noiselessly enlightens 
the minds of men. Who, indeed, has been omitted, who 
are uninfluenced, and who are unenlightened by some of 
these means of communicating the mind of God toman? 

Tliese divine instructions once put into the mind, and 
made clear to the understanding, '* enlightening the 
eyes," they are then written upon the heart. '*/ itill 
write them in their hearts."' This is another item or 
step in the intercourse of God with man. The order of 
God, is to reach the heart through the understanding. 
Hence, he first makes known his laws to the intellect, 
and through it impresses or engraves them upon the 
heart, upon the emotional and affectionate nature of 
man. Such impressions are more permanent, such incite- 
ments more enduring, and such feelings more deep and 
effective. The heart is the seat of responsible feeling, 
and the source of elfective action. "When once the laws 
of God are written upon the ever-present and conscious 
tables of the heart, its desires and feelings, its affections 
and hopes may be reetifled, so that we may love God 
with a pure heart, fervently, and obey his words cheer- 
fully. 



GOD IN INTERCOURSE WITH MAN. 371 

Such a divine spiritual intercourse is not complete, 
until the purposes of the mental illumination and heart 
impressions are realized. Thus, "J will be to them a 
God, and they shall be to me a people.'' The sustaining 
of these very gracious relations between God and man, 
is the ultimate purpose to be secured in the church, from 
the world-wide mental illuminations and heart impres- 
sions by the laws of God. 0, endearing relations! 0, 
blissful state ! 

1. "/w7// be to them a God.'' '*Thou shalt have no 
other gods before me," inmypresence, nor inmy stead. 

'^The dearest idol I have known, 

Whatever that idol be, 
Help me to tear it from thy throne, 

And worship only Thee." 

" Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and there is none 
upon earth that I desire besides thee." 

"My God, the spring of all nny joys, 

The life of my delights, 
The glory of my brightest days, 

And comfort of my nights." 

In this clause of the communing covenant, God pro- 
mises all that is requisite for spiritual prosperity and 
happiness. 

2. 'They shall be unto me a people." This, and only 
this, God enjoins on man, in order to make the divine 
influences effectual and saving. While God promises so 
largely, he requires that we give to him the affiance, 
love and worship of the heart. God desires a people on 
earth. He has taken all commendable means to secure 
them. Are we among them? His laws have been put 
into our minds; are they written upon believing and 
obedient hearts? " Blessed are the people whose God 
is the Lord." 

'Trone to wander, Lord, I feel it, 

Prone to leave the God I love; 
Kerens my heart, O take and seal it; 

Seal it for thy courts above." 



372 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

This gracious intercourse of the soul with God, is 
opened and continued through grace, by the prayer of 
faith. "Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne 
of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to 
help in time of need." 



now CAN GOD BE JUST AND MERCIFUL, AND 
CREATE MEN WJiOM HE KNEW WOULD SIN, 
AND IN CONSEQUENCE BE MISERABLE FOR- 
EVER? 



BY REV. CHARLES DEVOL, M. D. 

There is no power or causation in kiwwledge. And this 
is equally true of knowledge human and divine. 

This is the key to all the difTieulties which have arisen 
in some minds, by confounding the foreknowledge of 
God with his decrees. 

It is evident that if divine prescience be identical with 
divine decrees, and whatever God foreknew was there- 
fore decreed, no power is requisite to the accomplish- 
ment of any act or result, witliin tlie circle of divine 
government. Nor can there be any otlier divine attri- 
bute, since Omniscience alone absolutely secures all the 
events which can ever possibly transpire in the history 
of our race. 

God, then, is foreknowledge, and foreknowledge is 
God. Tlien is there not only no other perfection of dei- 
ty but foreknowledge, but no other God besides fore- 
knowledge. 

But if there be no power or causation in knowledge, 
then, instead of every thing being caused by it, nothing 
is caused by it. It may be asked, will not, and must 



1 



THEODICY. 373 

not everything be as God foreknew it would be? Yes; 
but not because he foreknew it would be so. 

Knowing that a thing is, or will be, does not make it 
so. I know the sun shines, but this does not make the 
sun to shine. God foreknew that men would sin, but 
it would be little less than blasphemy to say that God 
decreed that men should sin, and it would be the same 
to say that his foreknowledge caused men to sin. 

In connection with the question, whether God could 
be just and merciful, and create men whom he knew 
would sin, and in consequence be miserable forever, it 
may be observed: There was a period when God existed 
alone, when he had not created anything, either mind or 
matter, or angels or men. 

If we may reverently inquire why God created man, 
we may reverently answer, to constitute him happy in 
obedience to his commands, and thereby, thus, in man, 
to glorify himself. 

In order to do this, men must be free moral agents, 
that is, capable of keeping or breaking the divine law. 
Otherwise they could not obey God, or love him, or 
praise him. They could not be accountable; they could 
not sin or fall; they could not be saved; they could not 
be rewarded; they could not be punished; they could 
not go to heaven; they could not go to hell. In short, 
they could not act wuth reference to God or his law in 
any way, since in such case all their volitions and ac- 
tions would be necessitated by God's foreknowledge or 
decrees, and hence their volitions and actions are God's 
volitions and actions. 

Hence, men so created would have no identity or dis- 
tinct existence, and might as well have no existence at 
all, so far as loving, serving, or gloiifying God is con- 
cerned, or answering any rational end of their creation. 
Moral freedom, then, was elementary in the constitution 



374 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

of man; aud the creation of men without this, would 
have been a mere nullity. 

God never foreknew that man would sin and be lost, 
in any such way as to make it so. God made men so 
that they might all keep or break his law ; so that all 
men might keep his law and be happy forever (not 
saved, for in such case they would need no salvation). 

At the same time, God made men so that they might 
all break his law and persist in sin, and be eternally lost ; 
and that without the possibility of one actual sinner 
being saved, by atonement or otherwise ! For God to save 
actual sinners by prerogative, or at the expense of justice, 
would be to violate their moral freedom which would 
be the same as to uncreate or annihilate them, and this 
would be the same as to confess they were made wrong! 

Hence, while the atonement makes the salvation of 
all men possible, it does not necessarily secure the sal- 
vation of even one actual sinner. God never made a 
man detLrmiuing or willing his damnation. '* God hath 
not appointed us to wrath" (I Thess. v, 9). So far 
from this, he swears he has '* no pleasure in the death 
of the wicked" (Ex. xxxiii, 11). AVhith he certainly 
would have, had he foreknown it in such a way as to 
necessitate it. 

" God will have all men to be saved" (1 Tim. ii, 4. 
" He is not willing that any should perish" (2 Peter iii, 
9). He has done, and is doing all that ho can do (in 
accordance with his government and man's freedom), to 
save every sinner. " What could have been done more 
to my vineyard, that I have not done in it" (Isa. v, 4). 
Did not Jesus Christ will the salvation of the Jews? Aud 
did ho not preach and pray, and work miracles, and 
suffer, and die to save them? Did he not say to some 
of them, *' Ye shall die in your sins, whither I go ye can 
not come?" (John viii, 21.) ** How often would I have 



THEODICY. 375 

gathered thy children together, and ye would not" 
(Matt, xxiii, 37). Jesus Christ doubtless did all in his 
power to save the persons above mentioned, and yet he 
says, in substance, they were lost forever. 

No sinner can be lost whom God can save (Isa. v, 4). 
Some sinners will be lost (John viii, 21). Therefore, 
there are sinners whom God can not save. 

But some will say, "the will of God can not be thwart- 
ed; what he wills is always done." If the will of God 
be alwa3^s done, then of course there never was any sin 
in the universe. Hence, no need of a Savior or atone- 
ment. Hence, whatever the Bible contains concerning 
sin or a Savior, is false. And since, according to this 
sentiment, the Bible is false, we have no revelation from 
God, if there be any God; no revelation of a future 
state, if there be any future state; and we are totally 
ignorant as to our origin and destiny. 

From what precedes, it follows that God is just and 
merciful, although he created men so that they may sin 
and be eternally miserable, if they will; and he will not, 
he can not prevent it. even though the whole race should 
sink to the lake of eternal fire. 

"God gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever be- 
lieveth on him should not perish, but have everlasting 
life" (John iii, 16). All men may so believe and be 
saved, and this is the will of God, as above, that all men 
should be saved. So all men may disbelieve and be 
damned. But this is contrary to the will of God, 

God never gave his Son to save any actual sinner, ex- 
cept on the above conditions. 

The falsity and presumption of the unqualified state- 
ment, that "God gave his son to save all men, and hence, 
all men will be saved," are obvious. 

So far from this being true, it is not true, that even 
one of all Adam's race, who sins, shall be saved neces- 
sarily. 



376 TROY CONKKRENCE MISCELLANY. 

Finally, Goil is just and merciful, although sinners be 
eternally miserable, and that according to the foreknow- 
ledge of God. 

Just, because their diinmation is no more, or no less 
than they deserve. 

Mercifll, because he has provided for their salvation ; 
because he has done, and is doing all he can do, to pre- 
vent their damnation, and save them eternally. 

The advent, labors of love, sufTi-rings and death, re- 
surrection and ascension, and intercession of Jesus 
Christ, prove that God is merciful even to those who are 
finally lost. 

No sinner, not even a heathen can be lost, until the 
mercy and love of God have been exhibited to him, the 
divine forbearance exhausted upon him; until the spirit 
of God has enliglitened and awakened hini, and con- 
vinced him of sin. 

When all this array of divinely appoijited agencies 
proves imavailing, God says to him as to Ephraim, 
*'IIow shall I give thee up?" And then, ** He is joined 
to his idols, let hiin alone." 

Tills crisis past, a painful consciousness of having 
slighted offered mercy hanifts him, and enhances his 
wretchedness, while his affrighted spirit is driven away 
in its wickedness; and all the divine perfections, always 
harmonious, jointly and severally thunder from the throne 
of judgment, " Depart, yc cursed, into everlasting' fire, 
prepared for the devil and his angels." And the damned 
themselves, bowing their knees, and making confession 
with their tongues, say Amen. 



THE TRUTH OF CHRSITIANITT. 377 



THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY ESTABLISHED 
BY THE CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 



BY REV. TOBIAS SPICER, A. M. 

*' He that believeth on the son of God, hath the witness in him- 
self." John V, 10. 

The doctrine of Christ's divinity occupies a very- 
prominent place in Christian theology; it is of infinite 
importance to Christianity. This doctrine lies at the very 
foundation of the Christian's hope. Who can trust in 
Christ for salvation, if in him the fullness of the God- 
head does not dwell? 

To establish this doctrine was always a great object 
with the apostles, for by so doing they establi hed 
the truth of Christianity. As a proof, they often 
allude to Christ's own declarations on this subject, the 
doctrines which he taught, the miracles which he per- 
formed, and his resurrection from the dead. And these 
things were fully sufficient to demonstrate this great 
truth. 

Such witness as God has given to establish this truth, 
would abundantly convince all men, if they were not 
depraved beings, blinded by sin. Many things, pertaining 
to the ordinary business of this life, are believed as 
true by men of business, with far less evidence. Such 
witness as God has given to this truth, if brought to 
bear on any other subject than religion, would be con- 
sidered as positive demonstration by all sensible men. 
In view of this fact, St. John reasons thus: "If we 
receive the witness of men," in the ordinary affairs of 
life, we ought to receive " the witness of God which he 
has given of his Son," for "the witness of(jrodig 

greater." 

31 



878 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

Wlicn Christ liad ceased his personal teaching and 
working of miracles; when he had risen from the dead 
and ascended on higli, the world was not left without 
jiving witnesses to establish the truth of his divinity. 
The apostles were his representatives; they taught in 
his name, and in his name they healed the sick; so that 
those who were not eye witnesses of Christ's resurrec- 
tion, who saw none of his miracles, nor ever heard his 
voice, might nevertheless hear his inspired ministers, 
and see miracles wrought in his name, whereby his di- 
vinity and the truth of Christianity were established. 
By the miracles which were performed by the apostles, 
and the effects produced by their preaching, they had 
good evidence that Christ had risen from the dead, and 
the subjects of those miraculous cures, and gracious 
influences of truth, had the fullest evidence in them- 
selves of his proper divinity, when in his name they 
were made whole, or by his grace they were renewed 
in the spirit of their minds. 

But miracles and inspired apostles were not to last 
through all coming time; thuy were not to extend be- 
yond the apostolic age. Christianity, however, was to 
continue through all ages. It would seem that God did 
not design that so great a matter as Christ's divinity, 
and the truth of Christianity, should depend wholly on 
the testimony of miracles, or even the fact of Christ's 
resurrection. These events, although they were de- 
monstrations to all who beheld them, would, in process 
of time, be not only things which were past, and there- 
fore only matters of history; but they would necessarily 
come to be in the distant past, and if there were no 
living witnesses to confirm these facts, they might at 
length come to be doubted by some, as fables of olden 
times.- God designed that Christianity should not be a 
mere matter of history, but a matter of perpetual living 



THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY. 379 

experience ; a system of religion established beyond all 
doubt, containing vital energy for the salvation of sin- 
ners ; therefore he has provided a corresponding testi- 
mony accommodated to all parts of the world, to all 
circumstances of life, and to all future ages. This is the 
testimony of the Christian's experience. 

It is to this class of testimony the apostle alludes, 
when he says, " He that believeth on the son of God, 
hath the witness in hunself." This is the kind of wit- 
ness which is to be continued through all future time. 
It is to this class of wiiiicss ihc Savior alludL-d, when 
he said, " If any man will do his will, he shall know 
of the doctrine whether it be of God, or whether I 
speak of myself." Experience constitutes a proof 
which every true believer has in himself. Tt is insep- 
arably connected with his understanding and his heart; 
the same in all ages and in all circumstances of life. 
What we know by experience wc know with certainty. 

We have an illustration of this in the case of the 
man who was born blind, whose eyes Jesus opened. 
When Christ had opened his eyes he had an undeniable 
demonstration that he was something more than a 
common man; he believed him to be the son of God. 
He professed great surprise that the Pharisees should 
say, " We know not whence he is." He replied, 
*' Why herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not 
from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. 
Since the world began, was it not heard that any man 
opened the eyes of one that was born blind." Here we 
see that this man's experience led him to entertain 
exalted views of Christ as the son of God, insomuch 
that he acknowledged him as such, and worshiped him. 
See John ix, 30-38. 

If a certain medicinal prescription were to prove 
efficacious whenever applied, in effecting remarkable 



380 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY, 

cures in certain diseases, when all other remedies had 
failed, this fact would demonstrate that this prescription 
was a sovereign remedy in all such cases. Every man 
who had used it and had been cured thereby, would 
have the witness of this trutli in himself, that is, in his 
own experience. So every man who has felt himself to 
be a sinner, and has fled to Christ, and by ** repent- 
ance toward God and faith in Christ " has found pardon 
and peace ; every one who has felt his guilt removed, 
and the love of God slied abroad in his heart, the Spirit 
itself bearing witness with his spirit that he is a child 
of God, and is enabled to rejoice with joy unspeakable, 
has in his experience a witness, proof, yea a demonstra- 
tion of Christ's divinity, and the truth of Christianity, 
*' He hath the witness in himself." 

It will be perceived from the foregoing remarks, that 
the writer does not understand the apostle to allude, in 
the passage at the head of this article, so much to the 
witness of the Spirit, as he does to the witness of expe' 
rience. And the testimony which this witness bears 
does not merely establish the fact that he who has it is 
a good man; but it demonstrates the truth of the record 
which God has given of his Son. The apostle tells us 
in a preceding verse, that the water, the Spirit, and 
the blood, bear witness to the record God hath given 
that Jesus is his Son, and here he tells us that ho that 
believeth in Jesus, has the witness in himself. lie finds 
himself saved from the guilt, love, and dominion of sin; 
and all tliis for the sake of Christ; consequently, Christ 
must be God's beloved Son, in whom he is well pleased. 
His experience demonstrates this fact. 



CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE. 



381 



THE 



INFLUENCE OF CHRISTIANS AND 
CHRISTIANITY. 



BY REV. H. W. RANSOM. 



The Lord has ever had, and ever will have those who 
worship, adore, praise, and honor him. 

What a world of wretchedness would this be, were 
•there no persons of the description and character of" 
Christians in it! Were there no prayers, no holy wor' 
ship of God, no sabbaths, no ministers, no preaching 
of Christ and the cross ! What a morally dark and 
wretched world would this be without all these ! 

The world is bad beyond all human description, with 
them all. Sinners are plunging the darker world of the 
doomed, the lost, the forever-damned, fast enough, with 
all these to prevent and restrain them. Ah ! what 
would it be without them ? 

If a Savior standing between them and perdition, 
praying to heaven for them, and entreating them to be 
saved, yet does not save them, though it may impede 
their rapid race to ruin, ! how speedily they would 
rush to hell, were there no cross, no Savior in their 
way, no atoning priest to plead in heaven for them. 
How fast they make their way to ultimate wretchedness 
and to ruin, though their way is hedged up by gospel 
sermons and though thousands of Christians' prayers 
are daily lodged between them and hell to stop them in 
their career to woe. The world is dark enough and 
dismal enough (cursed as it is with the blight of sin), 
with all the light that the many thousands of Christians 
are pouring upon it. But what would it be without 
them all? 

Remove the light and the power of Christianity and 
Christian influence from the world, and it would draw 



882 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

around it the dark curtain which hides from our know- 
ledge the world of immortality and make earth a theater 
of dark and damning deeds, presenting a scene of 
wretchedness scarcely second to the drama of hell 
itself. But while Christ keeps Christians in the world, 
by their light and injluence, he is exerting a conserva- 
tive power, which is felt, less or more, upon the workers 
of iniquity. 



THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST- 



BY REV. REUBEN WESCOTT, A. M. 



" He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire." — Mat. 
iii. 11. 

The elements of that system of religion which Christ 
came to establisli on the earth, are clearly revealed in 
the Bible, and exhibited in the lives of the pure in 
heart. To the people in every part of Christendom, 
the doctrine of a Mediator between God and man is fa- 
miliarized by long possession; though to many of them 
it is nothing more than the familiarity of a name recog- 
nized as a well-known sound to the ear, without sending 
one fruitful thought or holy desire into the heart. The 
work of our redemption is every where spoken of as 
an achievement of strength — as done by the putting 
forth of mighty energies — as the work of one who is 
glorious in his apparel, and, traveling in the greatness 
of his strength, had to tread the wiue-press alone; and 
who, when of the people there wvrc none to help, did 
by his own arm bring salvation. But it is not enough 
that a Savior bo provided by God; he must be accepted 
by man. This Savior, which God has provided for us, is 
not only the agent of our justification, but he is the agent 



THE BAPTISM OP THE HOLY GHOST. 383 

of our regeneration also. The alienation of our affections 
from God will remain unsubdued in our bosoms, and sin, 
in the very essence of its elementary principles, will con- 
tinue to lord it over the inner man with all the power of its 
original ascendancy, until the deep, the searching, and 
the pervading influence of the love of God is shed 
abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given 
unto us. This is the great mysterious work of regen- 
eration, which is the beginning of that holiness, without 
which no man shall see the Lord. But the work of our 
great Mediator does not stop here. He is something 
more than the agent of our justification and regenera- 
tion; he is the agent of our sanctification also. "He 
shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.'* 

It is this glorious doctrine of an inward and spiritual 
baptism, together with its prerequisites and concomit- 
ants, that give the gospel message the character of a 
joyful sound, the going forth of which, among all the 
nations of the earth, will at length subdue, regenerate, 
and restore our fallen race. This special baptism of 
the Holy Ghost, which is an unspeakable blessing, is 
held out to every Christian in the gospel of Christ. It 
is eminently subservient to the peace, happiness, and 
holiness of individuals, as well as to the general interest 
of the cause of Christ. It will enable a person to de- 
clare plainly by actions, as well as by words, the pre- 
cise objects that most engross his attention, and the 
precise locality where all his interests, and all the choice 
objects of his affections are to be found. 

The correctness of this view of the subject may be 
seen by looking at the special character and peculiar 
nature of this spiritual baptism. 

1. The reception of the Holy Ghost, in a special 
sense, is a baptism o{ purification. John does not say, 
he shall give you the Holy Ghost. This, indeed, would 



384 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

be saying great and marvelous things; but " he shall 
baptize you with the Holy Ghost;" thus showing, in a 
metcaphor, the abundance of the grace. 

By fire, in tliis text, we are to understand the purify- 
ing nature of the spirit of God, together with the 
strength of divine grace wliich can not be overcome. 

As the fire penetrates the iron ore in the furnace, 
until it pervades every minute part, diffusing through 
the entire mass a sufficient degree of caloric to dissolve 
the whole, converting it as it were into one mass of 
fire, and then separates the dross from the pure metal, 
80 does the Holy Ghost enter into the very inmost re- 
cesses of the heart of that man who receives this spe- 
cial baptism,' and sits there as a refiner and purifier of 
silver, assimilating the whole soul into the divine image 
and likeness. 

This purity of heart is a very essential qualification 
for a Christian, and especially for a Christian minister. 
But in seeking for it, we must be extremely cautious, 
and not follow the footsteps of those who undervalue 
the blessings of justification and regeneration, which 
we received at the time of our conversion to God. 
Those were indeed great blessings, such as none but 
God could impart; but this is still greater, and can 
come only from the same source, and through the merits 
of the same Mediator. 

The blessings of justification and regeneration, which 
are always simultaneous, include a change in our rela- 
tion to God, and the implantation of spiritual life in tlio 
soul. But the special baptism of the Holy Ghost, which 
is usually a subsequent blessing, washes out the stains 
of sin from our moral nature, and renews us in all the 
life of God. 

2. The special reception of the Holy Ghost is a bap- 
tism o£ power. 



THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST. 385 

Our Lord said to his disciples, " Behold, I send the 
promise of my Father upon you : but tarry ye in the 
city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from 
on high " (Luke xxiv, 49). This narrative, short as 
it is, consisting of a very few steps, is replete with the 
soundest instruction. It contains a clear exemplifica- 
tion of the general process by which the Christian is 
guided on, from the first principles of the oracles of 
God, to a higher acquisition in the science of salvation. 
It shows us the connection between the incipient duties, 
and the subsequent experience of a true believer in 
Christ. By the descent of the Holy Ghost, the primi- 
tive Christians were clothed with a power which, of 
course, they had not previous to that gracious visitation. 
•' Ye shall receive power," said Christ, " after that the 
Holy Ghost is come upon you." 

The same process of instruction is presented to us in 
the oracles of God, which are clothed with a high and 
heavenly inspiration, and the same progress in the 
science of salvation is required of Christians at the 
present day, for our great Mediator has made no change 
in these matters since the apostolic age. Reader, are 
yotc going on to perfection? 

3. The reception of the Holy Ghost, in a special 
sense, is a baptism of light. Before we receive this, 
our spiritual vision is obscure, very much Like the bodily 
eyes of the man spoken of in the gospel, who saw " men 
as trees walking." But on the reception of this special 
baptism, our spiritual vision is rectified, so that we 
see every man clearly. 

This is a clear light, discovering to us that the first 
great law of holiness fs entire consecration. This 
fundamental truth of divine revelation, St. Paul has 
presented to the Christian church in these words: "I 
beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, 



886 TROY COFFI^BENCE MISCELLANY. 

that yc present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, ac- 
ceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye trans- 
formed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may 
prove what is that good, and , acceptable, and perfect 
will of God." (Rom. xii: 1, 2.) 

4. The special reception of the Holy Ghost is a 
baptism of love. The Holy Ghost is God, and " God is 
love." This is his name, a name, too, eminently de- 
scriptive of his nature. Love is that attribute of the 
deity which blazes out with such brightness, and pours 
forth such a flood of light as to almost obscure his 
other perfections, while it overwhelms our weak and 
finite minds. When this love is shed abroad in our 
hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us, 
when the last stain of sin shall be washed away from 
our moral nature, when the moral image of God shall 
be fully enstamped on our souls, then, and not till then, 
shall we know the blessedness of loving God with all 
the heart, and his dear people with a pure heart fer- 
ventlv. 

Do you wish to see a striking illustration of the 
Christian graces in all the walks of life? Go to that 
man, or that woman, who has received the baptism of 
the Holy Ghost, and who is living in all things for God 
and heaven, and your desire will be granted. By them 
you will see the word of life held forth in characters of 
living light. They all know by a blessed and happy 
experience what the poet felt when he penned these 
words : — 

*' My passions holJ a pleasing reign. 

When love inspires my breast; 
Love, the divinest of the train, 

The sovereign of the rest." 

First. It is the privilege of every true believer in 



THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST. 387 

Christ to be baptized with the Holy Ghost. This is evi- 
dent, first, from the great dispenser of this baptism, the 
Lord Jesus Christ, who is the head of every Christian, 
and with whom is no respect of persons. And, secondly, 
from plain scriptural testimony on this point. In the 
last convei'sation our Lord had with his disciples, before 
his ascension to heaven, he said: — "John truly baptized 
with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy 
Ghost not many days hence." (Acts i, 5.) "When he 
had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was tak- 
en up, and a cloud received him out of their sight." 

The disciples then returned to Jerusalem, and com- 
menced a prayer meeting which continued for many daj^s, 
on the eight day of v/hich Christ commenced his glorious 
work of baptizin.fi; them with the Holy Ghost. Some 
time after this, a heathen, by the name of Cornelius, 
was converted to God, and before he had an opportunity 
of receiving water baptism, Christ baptized him with 
the Holy Ghost. St. Peter is my witness to the truth 
of this statement. Therefore, in reference to his ser- 
mon in the house of Cornelius, he holds the following 
language: — " As I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell 
on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered 
I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed 
baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the 
Holy Ghost (Acts xi, 15, 16). 
• These words are very remarkable. They show with 
a sunbeam lucidness that the promise of the Father, to 
send the Holy Spirit, was given, not to the apostles 
alone, as some have supposed, but to the entire body 
of Christians. 

This opinion, that the baptism of the Holy Ghost was 
instituted for all the members of the Christian church, 
extending through the whole length and breadth of the 
gospel dispensation, is farther confirmed by the inspired 



388 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

apostle in these words : — " Repent and be baptized every 
one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission 
of sins ; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 
For the promise is unto you, and to your cliildren, and 
to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our 
God shall call." (Acts ii, 38, 39.) These words are 
too plain to need any comment. 

Secondly. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is not in- 
cluded in water baptism, for the less can never include 
the greater. The administrators of water baptism, 
baptize matter with matter, and thus dedicate persons 
to God, while the Lord Jesus Christ, the great mediator 
of the new covenant, is the only one who can baptize 
spirit vrith spirit, and thus seal them heirs to the king- 
dom of glory. Reflect on the tone and spirit of that 
man who is thus sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise. 
All his wishes and anticipations point towards heaven. 
His mind is employed in tracing the origin, the progress, 
and the effects of a life of piety, and he stands forth a 
living witness to the genuineness of his profession. 

Thirdly. In conclusion, let us look at the richness 
and value of this great gospel blessing. It bears the 
impress of its divine original, the character, the stamp, 
the living impression of his person, who is the fountain 
of beauty and love, the original source of all perfections 
and blessedness. It is possessed and enjoyed by those, 
and those only, whose eye is singly fixed on God, for it* 
is the ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit, wliich is in 
the sight of God of great price. 

But is it the duty of all who enjoy this great blessing, 
to make a public profession of it ? Most certainly it is. 
What, then, I would ask, should be the character of that 
profession? This is a question of vast importance. It 
goes to the "V^ry root of the principle by which you arc 
actuated, and effects the whole character and spirit of 



EARLY DEATH OF MINISTERS. 389 

your Christianity. The observations of twenty-four 
years, in the gospel ministry, have convinced me that 
the best way for any man to profess the blessing of per- 
fect love, is by his daily deportment. One holy life, 
bright with the reflected rays of the divine glory, beam- 
ing forth from the soul within, will do more towards 
recommending this great truth to others, than a thou- 
sand verbal testimonies from those who do not live 
according to their high and holy profession. Lip-good 
professors of religion, being as far from scriptural holi- 
ness as they are from sound knowledge and true wisdom, 
are a great hindrance to the spread of vital piety. 

There should be a perfect congruity between our lips 
and lives in expressing this great gospel truth. We 
should let our light so shine before men, that they, on 
seeing our good works, our regular and consistent lives 
of devotion and piety, will be led to glorify our Father 
who is in heaven. 



EARLY DEATH OF MINISTERS. 

BY REV. M. BATES. 



In the list of deceased ministers, how many do we 
find who had not attained to the meridian of life, whose 
sun went down before it was noon? So it has been from 
the beginning. For this early mortality, there must be 
a cause. It is easy to ascribe it to an inscrutable pro- 
vidence. I am a firm and joyful believer in the doctrine 
of a particular providence; but may we not err in the 
application of this doctrine ? To realize the beneficent 
purposes of providence, we must be in harmony with 

the divine will. But is it the will of the Great Master, 
32 



300 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

that his ministers shoiiUl die so soon, or be so early dis- 
qualilied for ellective labor? Docs he eall lliem into 
his service, with the intention of removing them from 
the iield just when they are best prepared to sow the 
seed, to rear the tender plant, and to gather in the ripe 
harvest? It via y, indeed, be so, for **his paths are in 
the great waters, and his footsteps are not known;" 
but to human reason, it would seem otherwise. "With 
humility and reverence may we not ask, has there not 
been some violation of the laws of health and life ? Have 
not the intellectual and physical powers been overtaxed? 
Has there not been somewhere too great a pressure? 
Has not the church required of her ministers, what the 
Great Head of the church himself has not required? I 
would not have ministers idle; indeed, there is little 
opportunity for this, if there were disposition. Such are 
the activities and demands of the age, that the idle, in 
every sphere, must give place to the active and diligent. 
He who would sustain himself in the ministry, with any 
tolerable degree of respectability and usefulness, must 
work ; most emphatically work ! But his work should be 
appropriate to his calling. "Every man in his own or- 
der." The minister of the gospel should be a man of 
one tcork. In his relations to the church and the world, 
he has a work to do, which is peculiarly his own; and 
it is sufTiciently arduous and responsible to occupy all 
his time, and to engage all his powers. If, therefore, he 
is required to do what properly belongs to stewards, 
trustees, leaders, and the laity at large, he must either 
neglect his own work, to the great spiritual loss of the 
church, or sustain a burden disproportioned to his 
strength, and fall prematurely beneath its weight. And 
does not this partly solve the problem of the early fail- 
ure and death of ministers? 

In the erection of churches and parsonages, in rais- 



EARLY DEATH OF MINISTERS. 391 

mg contributions for pious and benevolent purposes, in 
searching out and relieving the distressed, in all the va- 
rious Christian activities, ministers must not be idle 
spectators. But is it right that they should be required, 
not only to take the lead, and give the tone, but to do 
the work? This, in many instances, they have done, 
and have been expected and required to do : often amidst 
deep domestic affliction, and great pecuniar}' embarrass- 
ment, at the same time prosecuting their studies, preach- 
ing three times on the sabbath to the same hearers, at- 
tending several meetings during the week, performing 
appropriate pastoral labor, attending funerals, and re- 
sponding to the unnumbered demands upon their time 
and energies, to which they are always liable. And du- 
ring the whole conference year of pressing labor and 
anxiety, there has been, in many instances, the painful 
certainty that their income would not equal their un- 
avoidable expenses. And even for this inadecj^uate 
income, they have had to provide, not unfrequently, cir- 
culating and collecting the subscription for their own 
meagre support. The result of all this may be read, 
even by him who runs, in the list of the located, the 
superanmcated, and the deceased. 

In the infancy of our church, these evils were unavoid- 
able. But it is far otherwise now, especially in the older 
portions of the work. We ask our brethren of the 
laity, our st^rong, talented, wealthy brethren, as well as 
those who are not so strong, and talented, and wealthy, 
to give to this subject their earnest and prayerful at- 
tention. For ourselves, as ministers of Christ, we count 
not our lives dear unto us, if we may " testify the gos- 
pel of the grace of God." "If we are offered on the 
sacrifice and service of your faith, we joy and rejoice 
with you all." But if we must wear out and find an 
early grave, we wish to wear out in the appropriate work 



392 



TROY CONFERKNCE MISCELLANY. 



to which we are called, the ministry of the word, not in 
serving tables. 

We LiitiLat you, therefore, brctliren beloved, not more 
for our sakcs than yours, that you will so exempt us 
from the temporal cares of the church, that we may de- 
vote ourselves wholly to that work, which the Master 
has committed to our hearts and hands. We must have 
more time for prayer, and fur earnest, systematic study, 
Wc do not ask to be enriched with earthly goods ; but 
we do ask for such provision for our real wants, as will 
save us from the withering elTects of pecuniary embar- 
rassment. It behooves you deeply to consider, whether 
the present inadequate support of the ministry, does not 
prevent many promising young men from entering into 
its responsibilities and trials. Do you say they should 
make sacrifices ? But must they not also live? This 
they can not do, in the present state of things, on what 
is ordinarily allowed young men in the ministry of our 
church. This, I am aware, is a delicate subject, but we 
venture to speak plainly, "not as pleasing men, but 
God." 



CIIRTSTT.W LOVE. 



BY ]<i:V. KFUUAIM GOSS, A. M. 



Love is the most powerful and the most active moral 
agent in the universe. "God is love.*' Love is not 
only an essential attribute of the divine Being, but the 
essence of his nature, the sum and substance of all his 
perfections, " the Godhead's deepest sea." From this 
may be inferred the substance of a plurality of persons 
in the unity of the Godhead. If love is an»ever-acting 



CHRISTIAN LOVE. B95 

agent, and essential to the existence of God, there must 
have been, before any creature was made, even from 
everlasting, some being worthy of the divine regards, to- 
wards whom his love was always exercised. But no 
such being existed from eternity, unless we suppose the 
subsistence of two or more persons in the Godhead, ex- 
ercising toward each other the affection of infinite love. 
Add to this the testimony of our Lord, and the evidence 
is positive and complete. " Thou lovedst me before the 
foundation of the world." 

Love, wherever it exists, whether in God, in angels, 
or in men, is essentially the same : it differs only in 
purity and degree. The love of God is absolute and 
infinite ; it can neither be increased nor diminished. The 
love of creatures is dependent love; it may decline, 
and be irrecoverably lost, or abound more and more, 
increasing in purity and strength forever, without any 
approximation to the Infinite. 

Christian love, is the love of God shed abroad in the 
heart by the Holy Ghost, the image of the invisible God 
in which man was created, the beauty of holiness, the 
element in which the Christian lives and moves and has 
his being. This likeness of God in the believer's heart, 
is more or less perfect or complete, in all who are born 
of the spirit. Even babes in Christ, love God to the 
extent of their ability, in their infant state. Their 
faith being weak, their love is weak also. But they 
may increase in faith, and grow in grace and in the 
knowledge of divine things, until they come to the mea- 
sure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; and, being 
filled with all the fullness of God, they are rooted 
and grounded in love. Faith works by love, and puri- 
fies the heart, and overcomes the world. The pure in heart 
see God, and are able to comprehend what is the breadth, 
and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love 
of Christ, the virtue of his blood, and the power of his 



894 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

Spirit; and being cleansed from all sin, they love him 
with a perfect heart, and worthily magnify his holy 
name. 



ANATYSIS OF THE NEW RULE ON SLAVERY 
PROPOSED BY THE TROY CONFERENCE, AT 
ITS SESSION IN MAY, MDCCCLIIL 



BY REV. A. WITHERSPOON. 



^'The buying or selling of human beings, except with a 
view to their emancipation, and the voluntary or merce- 
nary holding of them in bondage.'' 

This rule is designed to take the place of the present 
one, as found in the general rules of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. That some substitute for the present 
rule is needed, is obvious, both from its letter, and the 
usage under it, viz: " The buying and selling of men, 
women and children, with an intention to enslave them." 

Whatever might have been the original design of this 
language, it is silent on the subject of slaveholding, and 
somewhat doubtful in its application to the buying and 
selling of slaves, as practiced in our country. It speaks 
of an intention to enslave the persons bought and sold, 
thus countenancing the inference, that the persons re- 
ferred to are not already slaves, but about to be reduced 
to that condition. Whatever may be said of this inter- 
pretation, as conflicting with the original design, it can 
not be denied that it harmonizes perfectly with the prac- 
tice which has been tolerated. It is only in case of 
•ome atrocious circumstance, that private members of 
the church have been called in question, for buying or 



NEW RULE ON SLAVERY. 395 

selling slaves, and the mere fact of holding them, seems 
not to be regarded as an infraction of the rule. Indeed, 
the toleration of our members in holding slaves, under 
all circustances sanctioned by law, and the toleration of 
ministers and other officers, under given circumstances, 
is plainly conceded in a chapter of discipline devoted to 
the subject. 

But if this defective rule is to be superseded by an- 
other, it is of the utmost importance that the substitute 
should be adapted to the wants of the church, and the 
nature of existing circumstances. While we would 
have it express the right sentiments in regard to slavery, 
we would have it allow opportunity for the showing of 
such slaveholders, as claim to be the involuntary victims 
of the system. And here the question arises, does the 
rule proposed by the Troy Conference meet the exigen- 
cies of the case, by proposing neither too much nor too 
little? 

To forbid, the buying of a human being, irrespective 
of motives or circumstances, would be manifestly im- 
proper, unless the act necessarily involved the conces- 
sion that persons may rightly be held as property. But 
such is not the fact, it being well understood that the 
purchaser may abhor the whole system, and yet bestow 
his money for the relief of one or more of its victims. 
This is so well understood, that the most decided oppo- 
nents of slavery are the most frequently called upon for 
aid, and are the most ready contributors to the ransom 
price of slaves. To give one dollar towai'ds the pur- 
chase of a slave, involves the same principle as to buy 
one entire ; and a rule of discipline, which would forbid 
the bestowment of a dollar towards the liberation of a 
fellow creature, would be insupportable, and much more 
so, were it to make a man a criminal for sacrificing "a 
thousand dollars, to secure the same object. 



396 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

An arbitrary rule prohibiting the selling of a slave, 
with a view to emancipation, would be equally indefens- 
ible, because, under the existing state of things, in- 
stances occur, in which the legally authorized form of 
sale, is the only practicable method by which the object 
can bo reached. In many of the states, the liberated 
slave can not enjoy freedom, and a bill of sale might 
amount to no more than a transfer of power, to conduct 
the slave to a land of liberty. Instances have occurred, 
in which the transaction was equivalent to uncondition- 
al emancipation; and the act of selling maybe as praise- 
worthy as that of buying. If crime attach to either, it 
is owing to some attendant fact or circumstance, the 
consideration of which would be the proper subject of 
church discipline. 

The rule under consideration has been deemed faulty, 
because it assumes the existence of involuntary slave- 
holding. It is questioned whether such can exist. But 
a little discrimination and candor, will lead to con- 
clusions satisfactory to parties on opposite sides of this 
question. That a man may be a slaveholder in the eye 
of the lavv^, either with or without his ownact orknow- 
ledge, needs no proof whatever. It is enough to be re- 
minded, that we live in a world where death reigns, and 
where every thing regarded in law as property, is con- 
stantly changing owners, in a legal, if not in an actual 
sense. 

But in a moral and religious point of view, no man 
can be a slaveholder, without his own voluntary act and 
concurrence. Hence, most that is said in defence of a 
certain kind of slaveholding, does not apply to slave- 
holding p*o;;er; as the man who holds the relation against 
his will, is not a slaveholder before God. The only thing 
necessary to make us of one mind in regard to the in- 
nocence of such, is the proof that the act is involuntary ; 



NEW RULE ON SLAVERY. 



397 



and, rare as this proof maybe, the mere possibility that 
a man may, for a time, be a slaveholder in a legal, if 
not in a moral point of view, is sufficient ground for the 
clause under consideration; so far, the rule supposes that 
he may be innocent, but no further. Voluntarily to sustain 
this relation, and thereby expose the liberty of a hum:an 
being to the uncertainty of life, or other contingencies, 
is a wrong for which he may be called to answer before 
the church. It is not necessary that we should particu- 
larize, either in affirming or denying that slaveholding 
may be involuntary. It is enough that such a condition 
is claimed, and that the claim, in view of certain cir-' 
cumstances, is so far plausible as to justify a hearing. 
The rule makes the fact of slaveholding a ground of ac- 
cusation; and as no man can justly be condemned for 
what he can not help, the slaveholder, as well as every 
other accused person, should be allowed the opportunity 
of proving misfortune instead of crime, and the evidence 
should be weighed by disinterested judges. Is it said 
that the judges in this case would not be disinterested? 
that the primary jurisdictionbeing within the slave states, 
where the evil is legalized, and where the public con- 
science is corrupted, the rule would be a mere nullity? 
Were all this perfectly true, the rule would not be to 
blame. It is our business to make it just, and reason- 
able, and rest the responsibility of its application and 
enforcement where it belongs. Nothing would be gained 
on the score of efficiency, by a rule denouncing expul- 
sion, without regard to circumstances. Such a law 
would be impracticable, because the same influences 
would affect the administrators of it, that were sup- 
posed in the milder law under consideration, and because 
so arbitrary a proceeding would be repulsive, if not ty- 
rannical. And, to prove that m a single instance it 
would enforce the infliction of a wrong, or withold from 



398 



TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 



tho performance of a duty, on pain of expulsion from 
the church, would be to make it a dead letter; a thing to 
be execrated, rathur than respected. The desire, in some 
quarters, for a rule which would preclude the exercise 
of discrimination, has its orii^in in a conscientious but 
erroneous view of responsibility, and *a compounding of 
dtnominational with church relations. As a connection 
or confederation of churches, it behooves us to adopt 
right principles, and as far as in us lies, secure respect 
for them. But the denouiinational or connectional bond 
can not be sujf'ered for a moment, if disconnected from 
limitations of church responsibility, and ihc primary ju- 
risdiction of each society or church, in the administration 
of discipline. 

It has been urged against the rule under considera- 
tion, that it will, if adopted by the general conference, 
allay all further church agitation on slavery, because all 
will say the rule is right; let those concerned see to it. 
Thus the slaveholders will have it in their own hands, 
and make it a practical nullity, while the church will 
fall asleep on the subject. This, in substance, is the 
reasoning of a writer in one of our periodicals. TJie 
rule must have struck the objector very favorably, to 
extort the confession that every body would call it right, 
and no right-minded man would try to hold the church 
in a false position, to insure agitation, as if it were in it- 
self desirable, especially when connected with the crimi- 
nation of the church. Rather place the church on ground 
conceded to be right, and give her friends an opportuni- 
ty to agitate with safety, and honor, and efficiency, and 
let the friends of humanity fall asleep at their own peril! 

A single term, only, remains to be considered, viz: 
*^ Mercenary,'* By this term we understand venal or 
selfish; consequently, the rule assumes that the legal 
relation may exist, not from choice or selfish cousidcra- 



NEW RULE ON SLAVERY. 399 

tions, but solely for the benefit of the slave. Cases of 
this kind have occurred, and may again ; and a rule which 
would compel a man, on pain of expulsion, to act pre- 
maturely, and thus endanger or frustrate his benevolent 
design, would be inadmissible. A person holding a 
slave, under any circumstances, should be made answer- 
able for his conduct, but at the same time should have 
opportunity to demonstrate the benevolence and rectitude 
of his motives, and that he is using all diligence to ac- 
complish the liberation of his slaves, in a way to make 
the gift a blessing, and not a curse ; and that, for the time 
being, he is taking all necessary precautions to secure 
the objects of his solicitude from harm, incase of death 
or other contingencies. 

In conclusion, we may illustrate some of the provis- 
ions of the rule, by the case of a brother, now a mem- 
ber of the Troy Conference, who was blIq^bX slaveholder 
two years and four days. He was made such by the 
death of an uncle, and at the time resided in South 
Carolina. Seven human beings were thus placed in the 
power of a young man, without worldly means of doing 
for them as he would; and humanity seemed to demand 
that he should endure the relation in which legislation 
had placed him, until able to give them liberty, under 
circumstances where it might be enjoyed. In the mean- 
time, he looked upon them as free, and gave them their 
iiine and earnings. One, who did not wish to leave South 
Carolina, on account of family ties, he succeeded in 
manumiting on the spot, at an expense to himself, of 
twenty-five dollars. The remaining six he removed to 
Essex, N. Y., at an expense of six hundred, and eighty 
dollars, of his own hard earnings, contracting a debt for 
a part of the amount, and never asked nor received any 
remuneration. The slaves have since emigrated to Illi- 
nois, and when last heard from were doing well. 



400 TROY COJfFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

We will have no controversy with those who may 
undertake to show how this brother might have done 
better. Our business is to provide a rule, which would 
give him an opportunity to justify himself, and in case 
of his failing to do so, empower the church to compel him 
to do better, on pain of expulsion. 



■*^ » »■«- 



A PROVIDENTIAL IXCIDEXT. 

BY REV. JOHN PEGG, SEN. 

Iji the year 1832, I became an itinerant Methodist 
preacher, so that my age, as such, corresponds with that 
of the Troy Conference of tlie Methodist Episcopal 
Church. The circumstances leading to such an event, 
are, at least to my own mind, deeply interesting, and 
may serve as an exposition of the ways in which divine 
providence leads men into important relations to the 
church. 

The first elements conducive to so important a result, 
were received into my mind when sitting by my own 
fire side, in a far distant land, perusing the accounts as 
given from time to time in the Wcsleyan Methodist 
Maga'.cine, of the glorious work of God, in the form of 
Methodism in the United States of America, as well as 
an ardent panting for the enjoyment of such civil and 
religious liberty as was defined by the immortal Alfred, 
when he said. It is just that the English should for $ver 
remain free as their own thoughts!*' 

These elements became more powerful in their yearn- 
ings, from an association with a little band of kindred 
sympathizers, who were devoting themselves to many 



A PROVIDENTIAL INCIDENT. 401 

good works; such as employing their sabbaths in the 
distribution of religious tracts, forming and attending 
Sunday-schools, or giving religious instruction, or ex- 
hortation in the more rural parts of the country. Often- 
times has a glorious summer sabbath, from four o'clock 
in the morning to nine or ten at night, been thus em- 
ployed, and although we might return with weary 
limbs, yet with the voice of song and holy gladness, we 
have reached our homes. As iron sharpeneth iron, so 
doth, not only, the countenance of a man his friend , but 
also his sentiments. This was the case with the little 
company here referred to. By mutual counsel and fre- 
quent review of each others' sentiments and feelings, 
such an edge was put upon the desire of all (about nine 
in number besides their families), as could only be satis- 
fied by an actual emigration to the land which they 
regarded in an earthly sense as the *' better country,*' 

Leaving many inviting prospects of worldly consider- 
ation, we committed ourselves to the care and guidance 
of our heavenly Father. So to the land of Canaan we 
came. 

After our merciful preservation from the dangers of 
the ocean, well might one of our number when her feet 
rested once more firmly upon the earth, gratefully ex- 
claim, " Is it land? It island!'* 

0, how sweet, in the accomplishment of life's pilgrim- 
age, to enjoy repose upon the bosom of Christian fellow- 
ship; such a precious privilege was permitted us, upon 
our introduction to the church of God in this happy 
land. Here we have been sustained and encouraged. 

Four of the company referred to above, have found 
the repose of the grave, and several of the dear com- 
panions of those who are left, have followed them in 
peace and hope. The other five of us still enjoy an 

honorable relation to the church of God. 
33 



402 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

But I have wandered from the point I more especially 
intended to present as an incident in my own experience 
connected with my character and position as an un- 
worthy minister of Christ. 

In the summer of 1831, our removal from the city of 
Albany to New York, occasioned a separation from our 
early and cherished friends ; we felt ourselves lonely and 
sad. Soon after our arrival, my beloved companion had 
a second severe attack of sickness. This led us to 
form the opinion that the climate was unfavorable, and 
would soon prove fatal to her health and even life. 
Witli the gloom of sickness and loneliness gathering 
thick around us, far from home and friends, and no one 
on this half of the world in whose veins any of our 
blood flowed, except some unknown and distant rela- 
tions in the citj' of Philadelphia, and two dear children, 
the one a son four and a half years old, the other a 
little daughter about one and a half, we had about made 
up our minds that the '* Lost Eden" was not to be 
found on this western continent. We began not only 
to think but to talk about recrossing the perilous At- 
lantic, and of passing the future of life in our father- 
land. 

Here the crisis of our history was forming. After 
various reflections on the subject, we finally concluded 
to prepare for our homeward voyage. In returning one 
day after calling on the shipmasters to ascertain when 
A vessel would sail, I turned my eye towards a pillar 
on which was posted a placard as though it were there 
for my especial benefit. I read, " For Liverpool, The 

Ship Salem, Capt, Richardson, to sail on ." That, 

said I to myself, settles the question. 

What gave interest to this notice was, the Salem was 
the noble vessel which had brought us safely here, 
Capt. R. was a noble Christian commander and had 



A PROVIDENTIAL INCIDENT. 403 

shown US great personal attentions. Hence, our feel- 
ings became much excited on reading the above notice. 

After communicating the joyful tidings to my wife, I 
hurried down to one of the docks where the Salem was 
then lying. The captain was absent; I saw the first 
mate who told me when they would sail, and thai if I 
would call the next day I could see the captain and 
make my final arrangements. 

Little did I think then of what that day would bring 
forth; or of the close alliance of present plans and ex- 
pectations with near disappointments and changed po- 
sition, affecting the whole future of my history, per- 
haps both for time and etei'nity. For once, I was in a 
poor mood to attend to the advice of the Savior, " To 
take no thought for the morrow." In was indeed an 
anxious morrow to me; for by its revealings the bal- 
ance of life's purposes was turned, and indicated a far 
different future from what had been anticipated. 

The eventful morrow came, and with it came its re- 
velations and decisions. But how great my surprise to 
learn, that, on that very day, my good friend, the 
captain, had gone on board another vessel, that the 
ship also had been sold, and instead of going to Liver- 
pool was going to Havre in France. Here was the 
pivot upon which Providence turned my course, and al- 
though the whole of life's anxieties appeared to be 
crowded into the pending moment, yet from it, as a new 
starting point in the remainder of the journey of life, 
to the present time, every purpose and indeed almost 
every desire to return from these happy shores, has 
been abandoned. We saw and acknowledged the hand 
of God, and with a resigned cheerfulness fell in with 
the arrangements of Divine Providence. 

After spending the winter, with improved health, in 
the enjoyment of Christian society, and with the most 



404 TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

promising prospect of temporal comforts in our present 
relation, in the spring of 1832 I was called out from the 
local into the itinerant field of ministerial labor. I 
was received as a member of the New York Conference, 
at its session in June, of the above year, and as the 
Troy Conference had been constituted by the General 
Conference just before, when tlie appointments were 
read out I fell into that division, from which time to 
the present, I have, through the abundant grace and 
providence of God, and the kind forbearance of my 
brethren enjoyed an uninterrupted effective relation. 

Of my beloved class mates who started together in 
1832, only one (Rev. J. Belknapp) besides myself re- 
mains in the effective ranks. One (J. W. B. Wood) is 
still effective in the N. Y. East Conference. Three 
have their names on the superannuated lists (Smith, 
Brown and Amer) and from their infirmities have long 
been under the seal of silence. One has located (Rev. 
J. Caughey), while the balance of our number (Rev. 
Wm. Richards and Rev. Wm. D. Stead) have long since 
gone to the peaceful rest of the grave. In the recollec- 
tions of precious memories connected with many of my 
dear ministerial brethren, who have fallen in the glo- 
rious conflict, in view of their useful life, and happy 
death, I would conclude this paper by saying: 

*' O may I triumph so, 

When all my warfare's passed, 
And, dying, find my latest foe 

Under my feet at last. 
This blessed word be mine 

Just as the port is gained, 
' Kept by the power of grace divine 

I have the faith maintained.^ " 



II 



THE RESURRECTION BODY. 405 



THE IDENTITY OF THE HUMAN BODY IN THE 
RESURRECTION. 

BY REV. J. M. WEVER. 

The caption of this article suggests the following in- 
quiry: Is the resurrection body composed (in part or 
wholly) of the same particles of matter that composed 
man's body in this life? In this paper I will endeavor 
to establish the affirmative of this question, by the fol- 
lowing reasons : 

1. The idea of a resurrection necessarily implies the 
reproduction of the same substance. As the soul never 
dies, if the same animal body that died be not raised to 
life, there is nothing raised to life. There may be an- 
other material body, which has life given to it, produced ; 
but if so, this will be a creatioUy and not a resurrection. 
Hence, if the same body that was laid in the grave be 
not raised, an essential part of man is lost, 

2. It is suitable and proper, that the same body which 
has been a companion and instrument of the soul, in 
labors of piety and benevolence, should arise and share 
with it in the rewards of heavenly bliss; and that the 
same body, which has been a source of temptation and 
an instrument of sin, should also arise to share the pun- 
ishment due to transgression. It is true, the body alone, 
separate from the soul, is mere insensible matter, ca- 
pable of neither pleasure nor pain; but when united 
with the soul, it is evidently capable of ministering to 
both. It has been remarked, that this reasoning cannot 
be valid in the case of the righteous, from the fact that 
many who have lived long in wickedness, are converted 
but a short period before death, as in the case of the 



40d TROY CONFERENCE MISCELLANY. 

thief on the cross. Doubtless there are exceptions in 
particular cases, but this does not, in a general point of 
view, destroy the force of the argument. Wc have an 
exact parallel, it is believed, in our Lord's teaching. Matt. 
25, where he rewards the righteous for acts of chanty 
and benevolence. But when did that converted thief 
feed and clothe Christ's disciples ? 

3. The scriptures do explicitly teach the resurrection 
of the same body: 1 Cor. 15th, " So is the resurrection 
of the dead; it (the body) is sown in corruption, it is 
raised in incorruption. It is sown a natural body, it is 
raised a spiritual body," &c. It is the same body still, 
though with different qualities. Again, *' We shall not 
all sleep, but we shall all be changed." "The dead 
shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." 
Again, St. Paul says: Phil. iii,21, "Christ shall change 
our vile bodies," &c. lie speaks of the bodies we now 
have and declares they shall be changed. Surely, such 
expressions denote the same body, or we know not their 
meaning. But to this reasoning it is objected, that **It 
attains no valuable purpose to confine the resurrection 
to the same atoms of matter, for if the same soul be 
united to any mass of the same sort of substance, there 
is sulficient provision for every thing that regards the 
happiness or misery of the rising dead." This objec- 
tion is a mere begging of the question, and has no found- 
ation in scripture or reason; and as an offset, it is sug- 
gested, that as the moral characterof an action depends 
on the motives by which it originated, and hence, as in 
the performance of human actions, the body could have 
no responsibility, why not dispense with the resurrec- 
tion altogether? It is objected again, that by the simi- 
litude of wheat dying in the ground, the apostle shows, 
that the matter in the resurrection body will be different 
from that which was laid in the grave. He says: '* Thou 



THE RESURRECTION BODY. 407 

sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain.*' 
But the apostle does not, by this argument, attempt to 
prove, that in no degree do the same particles of matter 
in the old, enter into the composition of the new body. 
He rather confirms the opposite doctrine, from the fact, 
that, more or less, the same particles that composed the 
old grain of wheat, do enter into the composition of the 
new. Now, the writer does not suppose that all the 
particles of matter that may have belonged to the human 
body during the present life, will belong to the resurrec- 
tion body. He rather repudiates that theory.. The objec- 
tor, to whom the apostle addressed himself in the use of 
this figure, evidently denied the resurrection of the body, 
on the ground of its mysteriousness ; and the apostle's 
argument goes to prove, that the same power that efifects 
the reproduction of grain after its own likeness, can 
raise from the slumbers of the grave, the same substance 
that composed man's mortal body to a state of immor- 
tality, and fashion it after Christ's glorious body. 

Another objection is, that it is impossible that in the 
resurrection each body should receive those particles, 
and those only, which were connected with the same 
soul in the present life ; for when bodies turn to dust, 
this dust or earth grows up in vegetation, and becomes 
grass or plants; cattle eat the plants, and men feed on 
the cattle, and thus the particles of one man's body be- 
come parts of other bodies ; and this is more obvious 
among cannibals. Surely, those who urge this objection 
do err, not knowing the scriptures nor the power of God. 
It can not be' incredible to any one who believes in the 
omnipotence of Jehovah, that the same power which 
has produced an almost infinite variety of plants, trees 
and blossoms, with every possible shade of color, of 
animals, birds, fishes and reptiles, adapted to every 
variety of climate, and that has kept the genus and 



408 



TROT CONFERENCE MISCEUJkirT. 



species distiuct and separate, with yjbij little yariation 
from year to year, from generation to generation, and 
from age to age. should be able to call forth distinctly, 
and without confusion or amalgamation, from the slum- 
bers of the grave, the appropriate particles to identify 
fhe human body in the resurrection gtate, 



APPENDIX. 



< • ♦ » > 



LITERARY INSTITUTIONS. 

The following literary institutions are more or less 
under the patronage of the Troy Conference. 

The Troy Conference Academy at West Poultney, 
Vt., is more fully under the influence of the conference 
than any other institution. It was founded soon after 
our organization, and although it has been greatly em- 
barrassed by a heavy debt, it has annually performed a 
noble work in behalf of our youth. It has been the 
scene of numerous revivals of religion. There some of 
the younger members of the Troy Conference were 
made partakers of the grace of life, and numbers of them 
received an important part of their early intellectual 
training within its walls. Its location is healthful, 
pleasant and accessible; its instruction is thorough, and 
its terms are moderate. Rev. J. F. Walker, A. M., is 
now its accomplished principal. 

The Bakersfield Academy is also under our patron- 
age. It is situated in the north-eastern part of the 
conference, at Bakersfield, Franklin county, Vt., and is 
every way worthy of public confidence. It is under the 
superintendance of Rev. J. H. Moore, A. M. 

JoNEsviLLE Academy at Jonesville, Saratoga county, 
N. Y., is another excellent institution of a similar char- 
acter. Its principal, H. A. Wilson, A. M., is a man of 
ability and experience. Its location is delightful. It is 




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APPENDIX. 411 

a noble monument of the enlightened liberality of its 
proprietor, Hon. R. R. Kenn«dy, whose onl}^ object in 
its establishment seems to have been the public good. 

The Richsiondville Union Seminary and Female 
Collegiate Institute is located at Richmondville, Scho- 
harie county, N. Y. During its first term, the buildings 
of this new and extensive institution were destroyed by 
fire. They have been reconstructed, and are capacious, 
well arranged, and elegant. It is under the presidency 
of Rev. J. L. G. McKown, and commences its career 
with the most flattering prospects. This institution is 
not denominational. As a people, however, we are 
fairly represented in its board of trustees, and faculty. 
It receives a board of visitors from the Troy Confer- 
ence. 

In all the above seminaries, the moral and religious, 
as well as the intellectual training of the young are 
cared for. 

In addition to the above, which are all within our 
bounds, the Troy Conference patronizes to some extent 
the Wesleyan University at Middletown, Conn., and 
the Methodist General Biblical Institute at Concord, 
N. H. The latter is devoted exclusively to the training 
of young men for the ministry. It is a noble seminary, 
thoroughly Methodistic. The late Bishop Heddiug was 
its president, and showed his estimation of it by a do- 
nation of one thousand dollars, and by bequeathing to it 
his library. 



34 



412 



APPENDIX. 



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415 



TABLE ir. 

Cojiiainino; an ^Alphabetical List of all the Preachers who have been 
connected with the Troy Conference from its organization in 
1832 to 1853, showing the time of their reception, and also who 
have wilhdratcn, located, been transferred, expelled, or died, and 
the date of such events. 

Remarks on thk FOLLOWiye table.— The date of rocortion into the conference refers 
to tho time of htniv^ roooived on trial, except in the case of those marked Avith an 
asterisk (*), -which indicates that the persons tluis marked have previously heen 
niouihers of some other conference. Those that were discontinued while on trial are 
included wilh thc/.'>c«to/. This ta))le may be made to iudicjite the/(.;«rc chau.i,'cs as 
they take place in the case of all who are'now members of the conference; by simply 
inserting with a pen in the appropriate blank, the year in which any one is trans- 
ferred, located, &c. 




1840 *Allen, Stephen 

1832*Alley. John 

1832 Amer,' William 

1851 Anderson, Charles M. , 

1832 ^Andrews, Elisha 

1832 *Anson William , 

1852 Armstrong, Sylvester- 
1843 Amitage, Thomas . . . . 
1850 *Arnold, Joseph T. . . . , 
1850*Asay, E. G , 

1842 Atwater, Wm. W. . . 

1843 At wall, Paul P . 

1853 Axtell, Nathan G. .. . 

1832 *Ayres, Joseph 

1835 Ayres, Braman 

1836! Backus, Wm. H , 

1850 Bannard, John 

1837 1 Barker. Cicero 

1832; Barker,' J. G 

1832|*Bates, Merritt 

1848 Bedell, Wm , 

185o| Bedell, Caleb C 

1832 *Beeman, Jacob 

1832| Belknap, John W.... 

1832|*Benedict, Timothy . . 

1840 Best, Jacob L. 

1836 

1849 

1850 

1846 

1857 



Blanchard, Hiram. 
* Bolster, Cyrus. . . . 

Borst, Nelson 

Bo wen, John E. . 
Bourn, Milton . . . . 



1841 
1842 



1837 



1851 



1852 



1853 



1850 



1839 



1839 



1833 



1842 
1848 



1851 



18371 



^ 



1848 






1849 



p^ 



1842 



1851 



1848 



1853 






f 



41G 



APPKNDIX. 



•8 



MaincJ 



IS'Mt 

i84<; 
[sr>o 

[851 

>^! 

1 840 
184S 
183L> 



s : , • j 
^ !-' 

I I 



: ) 



1632 



* Urayton. Daniel 

Brown, Kicliiid 

Brown, Stephen D 

Browil, Josiah H 

Brown, Valentine 

Brown, Zina II 

Brown, Wm. R 

Brown, Selah W.. 

Budge. H 

Bullard, Ward 

*Biirch, Thomas 

HnrJict. Chester F 

Jkirnham, J. D 

BnrhatTi, Benj. S 

Burrows, James F 

♦Burton, Henry 

Cady, Lawton 

Campbell. Alex 

♦Cannon, Ibri 

Canoll, J. A 

♦Carpenter, Coles 

*Castle. Joseph 

Caughey, James 

♦Chamberlain, Josiah F.. 

Chamberlain, Chester. . . 

Champlin, Albert 

♦Chase, Hiram 

Chase, John 

Chandler, Daniel M 

♦Chichester, Elijali 

Chipp, Wm. M' 

♦Clark, John 

Clark, Wm 

Clemens, Sylvester W.. . 

♦Clarke, Chas. P 

♦Column, Seymour 

*Colman, Henry R 

Connor, Joseph 

Cook, John L 

'('of)per, Alden S 

Cotlrell, George W 

♦Covel, Samuel 

♦Covel, James 

Cox. Benjamin 

Craig, Jesse F 

Crane, K 



1 



s 



1843 



1851 



1842 



1849 



1833 



1853 



is:7 
1837 

1844 



1834 



1841 



1842 



1836 

1852 

1845 
1841 

1845 



1 



1845 



1846 



1847 



1833 



APPENDIX. 



417 



Karnes. 



*Cra\vford, E. 



1832 

1843 Crowl, John F 

1848 Cutler, Mortimer F. . . . 

1851 Dayton, Durell W , 

1832 *Deniston, John W 

1836| Devol, Charles 

184l]>| Devoe, Isaac 

1836J Dickson, Alex 

18441 Dodgson, Thomas 

l'848| Dudley, H. C. H 

18361 Dunn, Hiram 

1832|*Eames, Henry , 

1834| Eaton, Jairus , 

1832. *Eames, Joseph, 

1850 

1851 

1832 

1834 

1832 

1839 

1842 

1839 

1832 

1841 

1833 

1842 

1843 

1843 

1848 



Eaton, Bennett 

Edgerton, Jas. M. . . . 
*Eighmey, Samuel . . . . 

Emerson, Oliver 

*Ensign, Datus 

Farr, Alfred A 

Fassett, John 

Fenton, Asa F 

^Ferguson, Samuel D. . 

Fisk, Miles 

Fitch, John 

Ford, Wm 

Ford, Abel 

Ford, Salisbury S. ... 

Ford, Cornelius R... 

1845J Foster, Egbert H 

1846' Foster, Wm. W 

1832'*Foster, John P 

1849, Fradenburgh, Stephen 

1832*Frazer, John 

18361 Frazer, Wm. N 

1837' Fuller, Clark 

1837 j Gaddes, Wm 

1849 Gardner, Simeon 

1843 Garvin, Alanson W. . . 
1842 Giddings, Charles E. . 

1844i Gilbert, Charles C 

1841; Gold, George S 

1S33I Gobbet, James 

1838' Goodwin, Calvin J... 

1832 -:^Goodsell, Buel 

1832 i^Goodrich, J. R 



1847 



1847 

1839 
1846 



1846 



1851 



1847 
1853 
1853 



1838 



1852 

1843 
J 835 



1849 



1850 



1837 



1836 
1840 



1838 
1837 



4 IS 



i 



Is.-.O 

! ^ I I 

l,s;»7 

1842 

isrU) 
is:r2 
l&:t5 

1840 
1S4.') 
164S 
1846 
1832 
1834 
1840 
183S 
!^ ;: 



1843 
1834 
1852 
1844 

m3i 



1S50 

Ivjt 

In.. J 
1853] 

i83r) 

18421 

lh32| 
18:{2| 
1834 
1 837 
1842 



APPENDIX. 



Names. 



♦Goss, Ephraiin . . . . 

Gould, David W. . . 

Graves, John 

Graves, Win. P. ... 

Gray, Wni. P 

Graw, John G 

Green, Philetus 

Grego;, Martin B. . . 

Grejjg, Oren 

♦Gridley, Cyprian H. 

Griffin', Wni 

Griffin, Richard.... 

Haff, Elisha B 

Hagar, Charles L. . . 

Halbert, Sandford . . 
*Hall, Jacob 

Hall, Barnes M 

Hall, Aaron 

Hall, Jeremiah . .'. . 

Halsted, Jesse 

Hancock, Samuel H. 
♦Hand, Asa C. 



Harding, Doren B. 



Hart, Jeremiah S. 

Harrower, Peter P. . . 

Harris, Hiram 

Harris, Joseph 

Harwood, John 

Harvey, Cassius M.. 

Haslam, John 

*Ha\vley, Bostwick .. 

Hazletine, Wm. B.. . 
♦Hazleton, Amos .... 
♦Hazen, Wright .... 

Heath, Andrew 

Henry, Wm 

Hewes, Samuel 

•Hibbard. Freeborn G. 

Hitchcock, B 

Hitchcock. Peter M. . 
•Holmes, Daniel 

Holmes, Ira 

II i-iiiger, Asah«d H. 
-il . .'italiiig, J. B.. . 
•Howe, Samuel 

Howe, Edward N. . . . 



1849 



1837 



i 



1853 



1840 



1850 



1 
i 



1846 



1836 



1850 



1853 



1840 



1839 



1838 



1851 

1836 
1833 



1843 



1844 



APPENDIX. 



419 



1834 

1837 

1842 

1832 

1833 

1848 

1847 

1833 

1851 

1832 

1851 

1853 

1832 

1847 

1835 

1838 

1832 

1839 

1833 

1832 

1836 

1833 

1849 

1845 

1832 

1847 

1833 

1849 

1842 

1841 

1843 

1832 

1840 

1832 

1839 

1850 

1832 

1832 

1844 

1844 

1835 

1832 

1848 

1848 

1832 

1852 



Names. 



Hubbard, Elijah B . 

Hubbard, David P. . 

Hull, Wra. H 

*Hurd, Wm.F 

Isbell, Bishop 

*Janes, Lesier 

Johnson, Albinus . . . 

Jones, Adam 

Jutkins, Andrew J. 
*Kelly, Roswell .... 

Kiernon. John 

Kimball, Fernando 
*Kimplon, Orville . . . 

King, Edward 



Kingsbury, Arnold. 

Kirby, Thomas. . . . 

Knapp, H 

Knight, Horace B. . 

Lagrange, John .... 
^Leonard, Jacob . , . . 

Leonard, Charles H. 

*Levings, Noah 

*Lewis, Z. N 

*Lindsey, John 

Liscomb, Cyrus . . . . 

Little, Warren 

Little, Russell M. . . 
*Lodge, Thomas . . . . 

Loveland, D. H. . .. 

Lovejoy, Charles H. 

Ludlum, Mathias . . 
*Lyon, Aunah 

Lyon, Edwin 

Lyon, Gilbert 

Lyon, Chester 

Marshall, Lorenzo . 

*MarshalL J. D 

*Marvin, Benjamin . 

Marvin, David . . . . 

Mason, Russell Z. . 

Mattison, Spencer. . 

McCreey, J 

McElroy, Robert . , 

McGilton, Andrew, 
*McKean, Andrew., 

McKean, Samuel. . 



-g 



p. 



1852 



185: 



1850 



1837 
1849 
1836 



1846 



1833 



1846 



1834 



1845 
185] 



1850 



L852 



1848 



1852 
S40 

1850 

1847 
1849 



1852 



1850 



1847 
1833 



1843 
1847 
1849 
1839 



184: 



420 



APPENDIX. 



184S 

1 8 as 

181^ 
1S3V? 
I83t> 
1838 
I84l» 
1852 

isno 

1852 

1833 

1840 

1832 

1832 

1832 

1814 

1832 

1832 

1839 

1853 

1832 

1840 

1832 

1839 

1835 

1838 

1852 

1840 

1851 

1850 

1839 

1850 

1842 

1832 

1834 

1850 

1850 

1832 

1832 

1840 

1848 

1833 

1835 

183'^ 

18341 

1832 



NumM. 



I 






M«Ken/ie, D.iviJ B 

iMcKillips, Geori^e ; 

McMaster, Thoiuas S 

*.Mocker, Hirani 

'Meeker, Cyrus 

Meeker, Bei ea Q 

Meeker, Wm.H 

•Meredith, S 

Merrill. Sherman 31 

Merrill, Shubal S 

Mills, Andrew C 

Miller, Win A 

■Minor, Sl.ennan 

^.Morris, Christopher R 

*Moriarty, John D 

Mott, John S 

♦Newnan, Thomas 

♦Nichols, Jarvis Z 

Noble, Edward 

Noble, David E 

*Oakley, Peter C 

Osboin, Amos 

*Osborn, Ahiathar M 

Osgood, David 

Pa^e, Daniel F 

Palmer, Gilbert Y 

Parker, John 

Parks, Stephen 

♦Patterson, J. H ^ 

Patterson, Robert 

Pearson, Thomas W 

Pearson, Tiiomas B 

*Peck, Jesse T 

Peg?, John 

Phillips, Zebulon 

Phillips, Jonas 

Phillips, James G 

♦Pier, Orrin 

♦Pier, Orris. 

Pierce, Wm. W 

Pollock, John 

♦Ponieroy, Charles 

Poineroy, Benjamin 

•Poor, Joshua 

♦Poor, David 

♦Poller, Lewis •••..... 



1851! 
1849 



1835 



1849 



1834 
1833 



1839 
1841 



1S48 
1843 



1852 
1849 



1841 
1849 



1833 



1838 



APPENDIX. 



431 



Karnes. 



I 
I 



184S Pratt. Rufiis ... 
1834|*Prindle, Lynan. 
1838*Prindle, Cyrus.. 
1853 Puffer, Wen. R.. 
1832kQuinlan, James 



1837 
1848 
1849 
1841 

1832 

1845 
1834 

1833 
1833 
1839 
1841 

1845 
1848 
1849 
1846 
1848 
1832 
1832 
1843 
1848 
1834 
1832 
1833 
1843 
1852 
1840 
1832 
1843 
1834 
183S 
1853 
1835 
1844 
1833 
1832 
1832 
1843 
1842 



Radley, Leonard L. 

Ransom, Halsey W. 

Ransom, Hawley, . . 

*Rawson, James . . . . 



*RemingtoB, Stephen. 

Remington, E. F, . 
Rice, Anthony C. . . 



Richards, Wm 

Richtirds, Alanson . . . 

Ripley, Amos R 

Robbins, Alvin 

Robinson. R. H. . .. 

Rogers, Silas M 

Romig, Anthony . . . . . 

Rose, Alvin C 

Rose, Daniel 

*Ryder, Wm 

*Sandford, Luman A. . . 

Saxe, Alfred 

Saxe, George G 

Sayre, Ezra' 

*Scholefield, Arnold . . . 

Scott, George 

*Scudder, Moses L. . . . 

Searles, John B 

Seage, John 

*Seymour Truman..,. 

Shears, Alonzo G 

^Sherman, Charles • . . . 

Sherwood, Lorenzo D. 

Shurtliff, Asaph 

Simonds, S.imuel D . . 

Simmons, George C. . 

Smith, Peter H.". 

Smith, Henry 

*Smith, Friend W 

Smith, Harvey S 

Smith, Hannibal H, . . 






M 



1843 
1843 



1838 



183311842 

]843| 

1846 
1841 
1849 
1840 



1849 



1845 



1834 



184:; 
1849 



1848 



1844 

1838 
1843 
1847 
1846 



1842 



1849 
1846 

1837 



1842 



1848 



1840 



851 



1844 



422 



APPENDIX. 



1852 
1841 
1832 
1835 
1851 
1832 
1849 
1835 
1834 
1837 
1832 
1832 
18:i2 
18-15 
1852 
1832 
1832 
1848 
1834 
1833 
1842 
1833 
1842 
1844 
1832 

1845, 

1846 

1834 

1840 

1835 

1853; 

lb4'j| 

1850! 

18371 

18431 

1850 

18441 



Namcj. 



Spiiultliiiij, Nathaniel U. 

Spear, Albert R 

*Spicer, 'J'ubiaa 

Spicer, Oliver E. . .' 

Spier, John 

Squier, Joel 

Squires, Osc t J 

♦Sprague, Ezra % 

Starks. Henry L 

♦Starks, Desevignia 

♦Stead. Henry 

Stead, W. D 

*Stebbin9, S 

♦Steele, Allan 

Stevens, Caleb A. 

"♦Stevens, Dillon 

♦Stewart, Milton H 

Stewart, Thaddeiis 

Stewart, Henry W 

Stiles, Stephen 

♦Stillrnan, Stephen L 

Stover, Ensign 

Stover, Peter R 

Stover, Samuel 

♦Strallon, John B. 



.2 



1844 



1852 



1848 



184.S 

! - I 
1540; 



Taylor, Henry B 

Taylor, Robert M.... 

Taylor, James H 

Thompson, John . . . . 

Thomas Charles 

Thompson, Rol>ert R. 

Tiffany, VVm. H 

Titus, Wicks S 

Tovnsend, Micajah.. 
Townsend, Gideon H. 

Tubbs, .fames 

Tubbs, Gardner S. ... 

ti Auken, Minor. . . 

Ill iJfrrlip, Eiias. ... 

Wade, Alpheus 

Wade, Richard F 

Walker, Jason 

Warner, Horace 

Washburn, Reuben... 
Wash barn, Sand ford . . 



1844 



1837 
1850 



1849 



184: 



1850 



1834 
I84fi 



1843 



1840 



1835 



1850 



1848 



1648 



1853 



1851 



1852 



APPENDIX. 



423 



1S40 
1847 

184n 
lS4n 

184-1 
1832 
1843 
1853 
1833 
1832 
1832 
1832 
1834 
1842 
1843 
1833 
1851 
183S 
1851 
1833 
1834 
1850 
1853 
1834 
1833 
1840 
1832 
1848 
1S33 



Names. 



Watson, Elisha . , 
Watts, Parinenas, 



*Wheedon, D. D 

Wells, George C 

*Went worth, Erastus . 
*Westcott , Reuben .... 

Westcolt, Joseph B. .. 

Westcott, Joseph 

Wethervvax, Henry. . . 
* Weaver, John M 

Wick ware, Albert G.. 
nVhitcside, Edwin F.. 

White, John D 

White, Myron 

White, Alanson 

Whitford, James 

Whitman, Nelson.... 

Whitney, George .... 

Whitney, Stephen B.. 

Wilkins, Coles R 

Williams, Henry 

*Willianis, Sylvester B. 

Williams, Truman . . . 

Witherel, Manly 

Witherspoon, Andrew 

Wood, Newton B. . , . . 

Wood, John W. B.... 

Yates. Jeremiah F.... 



1S4S 
1851 



1850 



i 



LS46 



840 



1833 



1844 
1830 

184'; 



1851 
1834 

1840 
L852 

184'; 



1853 
1849 



1843 



841 



1842 



31 Yoimef, Samuel 



35 



0/ 



The Trot Confcrexcb Tbact SociE-nr'a DcrosiTOBiKS are kept 
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19 PHILIP STREET, 

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